Stop manipulating grief and horror to political ends

(Re: “Let’s get this straight,” 11 February 2002)

In response to Stan Deineka’s latest letter, in which he unsuccessfully attempted to rationalize the unrationalizable (September 11 attacks), I have two points to make. Firstly, none of the September 11 attackers was Palestinian.

Instead of scapegoating Israel, Stan, my man, you should focus your energy on ridding Arab/Muslim education systems of ideologies that promote martyrdom and hatred of the West, and replacing them with a system that prepares children to be productive and tolerant members of society.

Secondly, why does Stan have trouble unconditionally condemning the September 11 attacks? Instead, he resorts to manipulating the world’s grief and horror to advance his own political motives. This is exactly the strategy that terrorists use when explaining why they blow up teenagers dancing in a disco.

Peace is achieved through negotiation, not terrorism.

Benjamin Matta
Jewish Students Union

Why are university students footing the bill?

The federal government’s recently announced plan to support research and innovation is a welcome prospect to all Canadians. Attempting to regain our international competitiveness is a goal that transcends mundane partisan political leanings, and thus is a challenge that all of us can thoroughly support.

But if this promised focus is more than mere rhetoric, why are students in the law faculties at the University of Toronto and Queen’s University being asked to pay annual tuition in excess of $20,000? How is it that the Liberals can claim to be supporting a knowledge-based revolution, when university students are told they are to foot the bill to make their academic institutions internationally competitive?

If the federal government is honestly committed to this campaign of re-energizing Canada’s talent, they should be putting their money where their mouth is. I challenge Industry Minister Allan Rock to prove to Canadians that he and his peers are indeed the supporters of innovation they claim to be: increase federal funding to provincial ministries for post-secondary education. Inform the law students of Toronto and Queen’s that their tuition shall not be increased.

Devon Rowcliffe

The info is not useful to students

(Re: “Anti-Calendar shouldn’t leave T.A.s off the list,” 4 February 2002)

The Arts and Sciences Students Union (ASSU) publishes evaluations of teaching assistants in the Anti-Calendar only if they teach 25 per cent or more of the course. Some departments do evaluate their T.A.s using either their own evaluation forms or the Faculty ones.

We do not publish this information because it is simply not useful to students. In most cases, students cannot choose their T.A.s and many have little, if any, contact with them. Also, the T.A. turnover rate is quite high so publishing their evaluations will not be of any use in selecting courses.

Terry Buckland
Arts and Science Students Union

This letter doesn’t make sense either…

(Re: “A moment of tenderness,” 11 February 2002)

I could not help but to notice Mike Winters’ comment about his own cartoon: “Sorry, this cartoon doesn’t make any sense.”

Is Mr. Winters implying that any of his cartoons ever made any sense? However, I must admit that every week I anxiously turn to the back page of the Varsity to see what’s new in the land of psychosis.

Mr. Winters has a unique talent for combining vulgarity and mediocrity. (I am sure that this will make up for a unique career in our “anything goes” society.) My only question remains: why the apology? Oh, Mike, never mind.

Radek Dobias

Engineers’ reputation tarnished by their representatives

(Re: “Undergrads now members of national student lobby group CFS,” 31 January 2002.)

I would like to express dismay at the behaviour of the student who claimed to be representing Engineering undergraduates at the Students’ Administrative Council’s Annual General Meeting. For some odd reason, Mr. Mark Parker brought a case of beer to the formal meeting at University College. Initially, a SAC board director made a request to the Speaker to remove the alcohol due to legal issues. After a failed request by the Speaker to Mr. Parker, the SAC Equity Commissioner and subsequently, her Deputy, repeatedly requested that the alcohol be removed, as it was an offensive gesture to some students at the meeting.

Mr. Parker refused to remove the alcohol after being informed it was illegal. Mr. Parker refused to remove the alcohol after the Equity Commissioner, the Deputy Equity Commissioner, SAC Directors, and offended students informed Mr. Parker of the religious offence that the alcohol posed to some students. Only after the Speaker threatened to eject Mr. Parker did he remove the alcohol. Sadly, Mr. Parker, his friends and even some SAC directors were disappointed at this ruling.

As a practising Muslim and SAC Director (UTM), I was deeply hurt and offended that my colleagues removed the alcohol out of fear of ejection, rather than respect for fellow students. However, I refuse to believe that a racist and chauvinistic stink truly represents the Engineering students at this university. While I do not expect SAC directors to follow the traditions and faiths of other SAC directors and their constituents, I demand respect for my culture and faith and that of other students. A five-minute walk through the Sanford-Fleming Building will reflect the diversity within the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. Would the majority of Engineering students have been this offensive to my faith? Is the Engineering Faculty void of any faith-practising students who would also expect and demand this respect?

A suggestion for the Engineering students: buy your colleague an Idiot’s Guide to Religious Tolerance.

As reflected, SAC clearly lacks a cohesive awareness and appreciation of U of T’s cultural diversity. Lack of student action allows such racist and chauvinistic attitudes to permeate SAC and other positions of leadership. I would like to encourage students to run for SAC’s elections and/or to encourage other students to vote wisely. Furthermore, I would like to thank the Equity Commissioner and her Deputy for speaking out against the offensive gesture.

Lastly, a message to Mr. Parker and friends: You live in a multicultural and multifaith society. Please learn to respect it.

Mona Ahmad
SAC Director (UTM)

The Varsity made a mistake

(Re: “Students asked for $30 million for new stadium,” 11 February 2002)

An important clarification needs to be made in this article. The result of the Varsity Centre levy referendum has nothing to do with the addition of 800 student residences. The plans for this will proceed regardless of the referendum’s outcome. Students need to be aware of what they are voting on. Without that basic understanding, democracy cannot flourish.

Heather Schramm
Student Representative, Governing Council

Editor’s note: the Varsity apologizes for the error.