Lack of letters leaves Talon editor scratching his head

For a campus that’s growing in size and activism, student voices this year have been, well, nonexistent.

Every year the Talon receives dozens of letters from students wishing to express their views and opinions. This year we have gotten a goose egg. That’s right – no letters.

I’m not sure if students are simply apathetic or scared, but this year’s weekly publication schedule hasn’t elicited much criticism or commentary.

But one thing’s for sure – we know you’re reading.

The Talon flies off the racks faster than it has in my three years on staff – and our shiny new Web site gets plenty of hits each week.

The phenomenon of student apathy isn’t isolated to the pages you’re reading.

Each week I attend the Student Government Association general assembly meeting, and while these meetings are usually dedicated to student voice reports – recent activity is lacking in substance.

For instance, one SGA senator said a student bugged him consistently about creating a chess club, other students are complaining about degree plans or parking.

The SGA is the voice of the students and the Patriot Talon’s opinion page is the megaphone.

Last week the administration banned buses from parking on campus, as per a request from SGA president Kerrie Ambort.

This request was only made after – you guessed it – a “Campus Voice” segment on this very page made it clear student opinion was opposed to blocked parking spaces.

Student opinion matters tremendously to the administration, and change happens more often than not when students raise a ruckus.

The voice of students, independent of the Talon staff, is larger than any opinion column we could write – because let’s face it – we whine a lot.

Administrators pay attention to what you say, and change can only happen if you speak up.

So let me reiterate our letter policy: 300 words maximum, we can edit for style and grammar and we do not publish anonymous letters.

Just include your name, major and class rank, and bring it by the Talon office on the second floor of the HPR Building.

We’ll be happy to let you opine.

By Allen Arrick Editor in Chief