Final suggestions for the new year

Justin Byma -- Staff Column

I catch myself, from time to time, thinking of ways that SCSU could change for the better. Some of these things would take little effort; others may be more of a struggle.

Nonetheless, as my final column as a Chronicle wannabe pundit and with an odd combination of hope and pessimism, I present my suggestions for a better university.

1. Discontinue the MGM course requirements. I suggest this not out of anti-white male resentment, but for the soft bigotry upon which these courses thrive. It just seems counterproductive and inherently racist to take nine credits worth of classes that teach students that black people, women, gays or developing countries can't make it on their own.

2. On a similar note, replace the "Respect and Responsibility" workshop with a seminar on individual rights. We shouldn't assume that first year students are racists and homophobes. Besides, it doesn't make one either of those things if he or she suggests those three hours or so with the "Jugglers" is too much. No?

3. KVSC should carry the "Foxworthy Countdown." I don't know if this is even possible, but it would be nice. You know, for the sake of diversity.

4. Designate every April 15 as "Thank the Rich People Day." Because rich people, of course, pay half our tuition.

5. Add a couple pages to the course catalog that provide a full disclosure of university revenues and expenditures. After all, as students we are investing money into an institution with the expectation of reaping a healthy return on that investment in the future. Would you buy stock in a company if you didn't know where your money was going?

6. Name something after Ronald Reagan. The Math and Science building or the ECC seem like prime candidates. Neither building is currently named after anyone, and seeing the Gipper on anything here at SCSU would be a sure sign of progress.

7. Internet resources like pik-a-prof.com should be made available to students to aid them in selecting classes. This would be an easy way to read what other students thought of a particular professor or class before signing up to take it. It's already in use at more than a few campuses across the country. If not, there is a free site, www.ratemyprofessor.com that, though a bit cheesy, proves quite helpful.

8. Pizza Hut should serve pitchers of Leinenkugel's. (No explanation necessary.)

9. A new class should be offered, probably by the political science department. Call it "Communism: 100 million dead, and counting."

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Justin Byma can be reached at [email protected]