Letters

"Whereas a democratic university requires free and frequent discussions among undergraduate and graduate student, faculty, staff and administration, and

"Whereas long-standing practice at the State University of New York at Buffalo has established the democratically elected Student Association as the legitimate representatives of undergraduate students, and

"Whereas the Administration has recently refused to meet with democratically elected Student Association officers, suggesting that it would prefer meeting with undergraduate representatives of its own designation, thus undermining established democratic practice,

"We therefore call upon the Administration of SUNY Buffalo to resume regular meetings with the democratically elected officers of the Student Association."

On behalf of the entire Chapter Board,
Jean Dickson,
Chapter President

Media needs to accent environmental issues
Editor:
As a 27 year old who is always trying to educate friends and family on the issues of the environment, I would like to know when the media is going to start helping me out. Sensational stories get reported on: Exxon Valdez, Love Canal, and every now and then we see or read a story about pesticides. I am always wondering, how can this be? Have we become so used to the fact that our drinking water is less than clean, and our air is unsafe, that spending a few minutes talking about it is just boring? Do we need to know where there was another fire, or should we be informed about the chemicals and pesticides used on our lawns and what they could be doing to our children, grandparents and ourselves? Where are our priorities? These are questions we need to start asking ourselves and our local and national media.

I recently read an article in which a woman said that she didn't think the Republican attempt to roll back the Clean Water Act was a serious problem because it wasn't covered on 60 Minutes. Well, I like 60 Minutes, but where were they for a story that impacts all of us? Those of us who do care more about the future of our children than the latest celebrity scandal need to speak out and demand better, more meaningful coverage. If you'd like a few minutes of mindless TV, watch Hard Copy. Certainly we should not be looking to the news for the latest on Madonna's new baby...there are more than enough places to get info on that!

For instance, our drinking water is among the safest in the world, but maybe that's not saying much. Thousands of people get sick each year in this country from drinking city and town water. That doesn't sound safe to me. Just because it isn't sending me to the hospital doesn't mean it's good for me! I'll bet most people don't even know that many water pipes are lined with asbestos, which, in time, can flake off and enter our water supply. Why isn't this being looked into?

Another example comes from the recent elections. The League of Conservation Voters rated Bill Paxon's voting record on environmental issues an absolute zero. Why didn't the media inform the public that Bill Paxon gave the Senate Republican Campaign Committee $100,000 to redraw his district so that it would include 50,000 more Republican voters? Why wasn't this brought to the attention of voters?

We all have to educate ourselves and take an interest in the unique and wonderful world we are so lucky to live in. Television and newspapers should be including themselves in that responsibility. It is a responsibility-just like paying the bills and taking care of your family. We are citizens of this country and of this earth, and there's no reason we should expect it to be an easy experience. It can be an extraordinary and enriching one, though.
Stephanie Naftal
Senior, Environmental Studies

Want to carpool? Internet, bulletin boards, Rideshare can help
Editor:
One way to make parking a little easier, while being environmentally friendly, is by car-pooling. UB offers a variety of ways to get in touch with others from your area.

Commuter Newsgroups are electronic discussion groups that are available on the internet. Carpools can be arranged by accessing the sunyab.carpool newsgroup. Both riders and drivers can use this system to post messages and meet other commuters in their area. Information about new commuter programs and services is also available by accessing the sunyab.student-life.commuters newsgroup. This resource may also be used to offer any concerns or suggestions on how Commuter Services can better serve the students here at UB.

There is also a homepage on UB Wings specifically geared toward commuters and off-campus students: http://wings.buffalo.edu/student-life/vp-affairs/student-life/com&off.html.

The Commuter Rideboard is a carpooling board where you can find riders and drivers from your area. This is located outside of Suite 112 in the Student Union. In the same area is the Commuter Depot, which has area maps, current NFTA Metro Bus schedules and information about car maintenance and defensive driving. Commuter Bulletin Boards are located outside of the Undergraduate Library in Capen Hall and on the ground floor of the Student Union. These are updated frequently, posting new information and activities for UB commuters.

Finally, there is the UB Rideshare carpooling program set up by the UB Environmental Task Force and the NFTA for UB faculty, staff and students. Pamphlets to sign up for this service are located at the Commuter Depot, or you can sign up electonically by: http://wings.buffalo.edu/news/newsbureau/rideshare.

Carpooling can be a great way to meet people and share riding expenses. If you have any questions, stop by Suite 112 in the Student Union and the Commuter Services Office would be happy to help.
Shelly Schmalheiser
Graduate Assistant
Commuter Services, Office of Student Life