Opinion
 

Letters to the Editor
 

Burden of peace

To the editor:

In response to Richard Lutz's column "Mid-East fight goes both ways" (Opinion, Tuesday), I would like to point out that putting all of the blame on the Palestinians is like blaming the Native Americans for being herded onto reservations. Obviously, resorting to violence has not helped the Palestinians or the Israelis. Each side has the power to end the violence. But I think it is up to the Israelis, who are in the position of power, to do the right thing and improve the lives of the Palestinian people. Something must be done to pull the Palestinians out of a situation where they feel they have nothing to lose, a situation where murderous suicide is preferable to continued existence as second-class human beings. 

David Sadegh, 
law graduate

To the editor:

I was extremely surprised to read that Vice President for Student Affairs Elwyn C. Lee believes Steve Ding is the only student upset about the proposed Urban Experience Program office expansion into the study area at Oberholtzer Hall. I have heard several students express opposition to this plan, just as I have seen many students using the lounge to study. I do not know what happened to the petitions taped to the tables, but I do know that they were not blank, as I myself signed one and saw other signatures as well. As for Lee's suggested alternative study spaces, the third floor classrooms at Oberholtzer and the east cafeteria are locked at night, when many students need to study. The second floor lounge is always accessible and I don't want to lose this space.

Sara Leonard, 
English senior

The real world

To the editor:

Stuart Clements says he has no idea what's going on in the real world ("Soon-to-be grads left searching for answers," Opinion, Friday). Allow me to crack open a window to the real world right here on campus. There are literally hundreds of workshops held on campus each year on the topics Clements cites. These workshops are advertised or announced in The Daily Cougar, on posters and handouts and online. Perhaps you missed the Career Resource Guide included in the Feb. 18 issue of The Daily Cougar. 

There is an Employer Seminar Series each semester on campus in which students interact with recruitment representatives from the corporate community. One-to-one and group career counseling sessions are utilized by more than 7,000 students each year. More than 20,000 jobs are posted through the JOBank and JOBscan services (available through www.career.uh.edu).

At least 10 career fairs are coordinated by various colleges, departments and student organizations yearly. Last week, one of the largest collegiate career fairs in Texas was held right here on campus: the Texas Job Fair. It was attended by 130 employers, as well as more than 2,000 students.

Students can schedule an appointment with a professional career counselor online at www.career.uh.edu or by phone at (713) 743-5100.

Susan Hlavac, 
assistant director for career counseling and career counselors, University Career Services

Distorted voice

To the editor:

In the past three years, the Student Voice party has dominated Student Government Association elections, indirectly causing the lack of student voter participation by increasing our student body's distaste for their unprofessional and destructive politics. (In 2001, 2,514 students voted. In 2002, there were 1,257 voters, and in 2003 there were 571.)

I ran against Student Voice in the 2001 SGA election and saw their lack of professionalism first hand. What is worse is Student Voice has a history of preying on students who just want to get involved in student government, students who do not know anything about Student Voice's past. The party claims to be the only party one should join if a student wants a seat in SGA. I feel bad for those unsuspecting students who have joined in the past because they had no clue they would be subjected to scrutiny due to their new colleagues' old mistakes. 

Alex Varkey, 
pharmacy graduate
 

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.Send comments to dccampus@mail.uh.edu