Miller on cars

Staff Editorial

Editorial Cartoon

Check your facts

To the editor,

Concerning the "Boycott Chartwells if you want breakfast" (Opinion, Feb. 14) by Jonathan O' Neal:

The Residence Halls' Association is concerned about the opinion presented in The Daily Cougar regarding its representation of residents in dealing with on campus contractors. We would like to make sure that the residents are aware of and understand the process of the decision-making that occurred with the closing of the Oberholtzer Hall cafeteria for breakfast.

RHA was first notified by Chartwells of its decision a week-and-a-half ago when the resident district manager of Chartwells, Nick Iula, called and asked to speak at the RHA General Meeting on Feb. 8. He explained that the decision had been made and OK'd by the University, but that he would like to address the residents and explain Chartwells' course of action.

At the meeting (RHA meets every other Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. in the Commons or the Athletics Cafeteria), RHA held an open forum where Mr. Iula was able to explain Chartwells' decision and residents were able to ask questions concerning Chartwells' operation. Iula specified that, at the beginning of the semester, approximately 80 residents eat breakfast in OB every morning, but that this number quickly declines.

He pointed out that Chartwells is losing money on this campus. It made the move to displace less than 1 percent of the on-campus population for breakfast so that it could maintain prices and services elsewhere.

Residents from every hall were present. When the floor was opened for comments, the residents were able to get clarification on the closing of OB and were able to present some new ideas to Chartwells. Iula received all these ideas in a very positive manner. He also said Chartwells would take the responsibility of notifying residents of the OB closing by posting signs the next day.

RHA is very interested in, and concerned with, Chartwells' fulfillment of its contract and its services to residents, and we act accordingly. We would invite any residents with other questions or concerns to come by the office in Room 100, OB, or to call us at (713) 743-6069.

Jaime Seamands,
president, RHA

To the editor,

I am writing this letter in response to the column "Boycott Chartwells if you want breakfast." I find it very unprofessional that you would allow Jonathan O' Neal to write a column with such ignorance. In his column, he stated that the blame needed to be place on elected student leaders who were not doing their jobs. I do not recall O' Neal calling me to appoint him to the Food Advisory Committee.

Let it also be know that all of the elected student leaders have voice mail and the office has a full-time secretary. I personally have my pager number listed. The office has a Web site where you can voice your concerns through e-mail. Nick Iula has always proclaimed his open-door policy. He often stands in the University Center and hands out his business cards with his direct line listed.

Don't criticize our work until you know exactly what we do. Also, if you're not a part of the solution, then you are a part of the problem. And just in case you don't get my point, every time you point the finger of blame, there are three more pointing right back at you.

If you have any questions or would like to meet with me, you may contact the Students' Association office at (713) 743-5220.

Dana Enriquez,
vice president, Students' Association

Editor's note -- Any student, faculty or staff member has a right to voice their opinions in the Cougar, as O' Neal expressed his in the Feb. 14 issue. He did not, however, check his facts.

For this, and more serious problems, O' Neal has been dismissed.

Letters to the editor are welcome from all members of the UH community and should focus on issues, not personalities. Letters must be typed and must include the author's name, telephone number and affiliation with the University. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, language and space. Letters may be delivered in person to Room 151, Communication; e-mailed to dclettrs@mail.uh.edu; or faxed to (713) 743-5384.