Dear Editor,
This is an inquiry, not a reply to an issue. The Denver Post mentions that two DU alumni are on President Bush’s staff, and that three are U.S. senators. Other than Condoleeza Rice whom I graduated with in 1974, who are these other individuals.
Rick Starkclass of ’74
In answer to your query, the three senators are Paul D. Laxalt (served 1973-1986), William D. Ford (served 1965-1994), Pete V. Domenici (served 1973-2004), all of whom are still living. Currently serving in Bush’s cabinet are National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice and Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton.
-Eds.
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Dear Editor,
In attacking President Bush over college tuition, John Kerry is either ignoring the President’s $33 million in new funding for enhanced Pell grants to low-income students, or he does not have his facts straight. President Bush is expanding college scholarships and increasing Pell grants.
President Bush has proposed increasing total student aid to more than $73 billion — a $4.2 billion (6 percent) increase over 2004. Almost 10 million students and parents — 426,000 more recipients than this year — would receive one or more grants, loans or work-study awards.
Kerry’s accusations ring doubly false coming from a senator with such a thin education record. Kerry voted six times against expanded education savings accounts, which would have provided $4 billion in tax savings for parents to use toward their child’s college tuition.
Just like Kerry’s $1.9 trillion in new government spending proposals, the numbers for Kerry’s college plan don’t add up. Kerry’s pie-in-the-sky proposal would not give students enough money to attend college and would put unqualified young people in classrooms as teachers. Kerry’s purely political attack against the president’s record of enabling more Americans to attend college denies reality. The president’s pro-growth policies have led to economic recovery, the creation of new jobs, and increased access to higher education — all good news for Americans, but disaster for Kerry in November.
Michael R. DavisLaw Student, University of IowaMember, United States Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance
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Dear Editor,
Some of us were frozen-out of the Frozen Four in Boston, 100 miles from our residence in Maine, by an alumni department that apparently cares only for the mega-givers. I hope this isn’t true. We are proud of DU, but we also are supporters of the University of Maine ice hockey program. Both are exemplary, and each deserved to win. It also was a shock to learn of Keith Magnuson’s death by listening to the television reporters describing the special commemorative patch worn on each of the Pioneer jerseys. Good luck from a former Clarion headline writer and photographer, and staff member of KVDU in the mid-50s.
James Ron PalmquistCape Elizabeth, MaineBA Journalism 1960
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Dear Editor,
I read with interest Mr. Brennan’s letter published in the Letters section of the Clarion. However, there are some factual errors that I would like to clarify for him. First, early registration is an accommodation offered to students with disabilities who meet the criteria for this accommodation. Students with disabilities encompass students with learning disabilities (LD), ADHD, mobility impairment, student with visual and auditory disabilities, etc. Accommodations allow the university to meet the intention and its obligation to students with disabilities as defined by Section 504, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990. The program that is responsible for the provision of accommodations at the University of Denver is the Disability Services Program (DSP). The Learning Effectiveness Program (LEP) charges only for the academic counseling offered to students. By definition this is a service, not an accommodation. Federal law is clear: Students shall not be held liable for the cost of any accommodation afforded by an institution of learning.
His concern about having a limited class selection is a concern that other students before you have attributed to the early registration process. Unfortunately, they too did not have all the facts when they wrote their letters. You also contend that many students enroll in the LEP who never attend tutoring sessions but do so just to get early registration. You are correct that some students enrolled in the LEP actually choose not to utilize this resource; however, students who choose this are a very small minority. Students who are enrolled in the LEP receive their accommodations through the DSP at no cost. These students would still receive these accommodations regardless of LEP enrollment status, including early registration. Also, as Mr. Brennan knows, the LEP is a fee-for-service program but there are scholarships awarded to students with financial need every academic year.
I understand his frustration with not getting in the classes he wanted to enroll in. However, I do take issue with his making generalized statements not based in fact and then turning his anger and focus on students with disabilities.
Ted F. MayDirector University Disability Services
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Dear Editor,
How was this quote allowed to appear in your publication?
“Fans streamed to the Border where TV camera crews waited to tape cops breaking up drunken fights, and capture intoxicating fans explaining how excited they were that the Pioneers won.” The “cops” were hired by the Border to protect the shopping center from the students of DU. Also, there were no “drunken fights” or altercations.
The camera crew was not ‘waiting to tape cops breaking up drunken fights’. They were invited in to help promote school spirit, capture a major milestone in DU history and enjoy the celebration for the National Champs.
Intoxicating fans? Did he mean to write intoxicated fans? Hard to tell with the editing job that was done.
Please lay off the sensationalism and concentrate on the facts: The school won a national championship without riots, setting things on fire or any problems at the Border. Be happy for that. Now to question Jordan’s choice for an article: Why is “Jordy” taking issue with the spectacular season that the hockey team had? Would he be so pessimistic if his swim team was so successful?
He should have come up with something better than a ‘so-what’ article and attitude even if he’s not a hockey fan. What will he write if the Avs win the cup, the Rockies win the series or the Nuggets win the championship? So what? No one wants to read that. His column does nothing but destroy the school spirit, unity and positive national exposure that the university now enjoys. He should be excited for the team and the school he attends.
It takes effort to write something of substance, and a ‘who cares’ article is nothing short of lazy journalism. Not getting his facts straight about the Border was his first mistake, but writing a column to slight the accomplishments of the hockey team and university? I’m surprised it made it to print.
Robert MooreThe Border Restaurant
Here at the Clarion, we report news or in this case the opinions of students. We are not a pep rally in print form. The article was a reflection of student opinion. The party did end up at the Border, where cops and camera crews were present who witnessed some altercations between celebrating students.
-Jordan ChittleyClarion Managing Editor
