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Opinion
 

Letters to the Editor

Article should offer solutions, not just make complaints

To the editor:

I take much pride as a Cougar pursuing my educational endeavors through this institution. However, there are many things that make me question the integrity of my beloved institution, which include the priorities and goals of the The Daily Cougar. In particular, I am referring to the article "Residence halls aren't what they used to be" (Jan. 24, Opinion) by Jim McCormick. 

After reading McCormick's article, I was surprised that this would be printed. The article offers no solutions to problems that may already be apparent to the student body. 

Furthermore, his attacks on programs like the Urban Experience Program offend me. I am a proud member of the Urban Experience Program because of everything it has done for me and other students. This program has provided me opportunity, enrichment and academic assistance. The bottom line is that it helps students. Period. 

Not only does this article contain statements that lack any factual basis and points fingers of hate and blame, but it also makes the University of Houston look bad. As a black student on campus, I would hope that this is not a message of prejudice and hate because I would never allow my school fees to be used to print that kind of filth. 

As a proud Cougar, I want to see problems listed along side solutions and not just meaningless attacks in The Daily Cougar. This is the kind of attitude that will raise this great institution to even higher levels of excellence. 

Christopher Njigha
biology senior

Messages of hate should not be featured in student publication

To the editor:

In Jim McCormick's article "Residence Halls Aren't What They Used To Be"(Jan. 24, Opinion), the author complains about the quality of housing on campus and then outwardly blames a student support initiative, the Urban Experience Program. 

The article can only be described as malicious. This program has helped many students, including me, providing much needed support and encouragement. It's disappointing to think that The Daily Cougar, a University circulatory, would support bigotry. Sure, it is only an opinion of a student, but I would expect there be a level of responsibility among the writers and those who publish their work.

I find it unbelievable that anyone would attempt to hurt the UEP, a program dedicated to assisting minorities. It's a slap in the face to find that student fees are supporting a student run newspaper that will publish such a lie -- where are the facts?

Quality journalism should be published with the truth in mind. The article was either the mindless spewing of unfounded gossip, the ugly intentions of a shameless self-promoter or the hidden agenda of bigotry and hatred. It is highly coincidental that this article has been published so close to budget-hearing time. This is where the Student Fees Advisory Committee decides what programs -- including The Daily Cougar -- get what piece of the monetary pie. The less one program gets of this pie, the more another one can have. I suppose that it is very convenient that with "good reason" as he has put it, many people haven't heard of the UEP. Lacking the support that The Daily Cougar and other programs have, it would be easy to snuff out. 

I can only hope that this was a gross misunderstanding. I am a loyal reader of The Daily Cougar and look forward to seeing it maintain a sense of reliability as opposed to encouraging sentiment born of ignorance and greed.

Sue K. Im
university studies freshman

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 151C, Communication; e-mailed to dclettrs@mail.uh.edu ; or faxed to (713) 743-5384.