Letters to the Editor (Editorial Policies)
Posted on December 7, 2006

Madison Class Challenge serves necessary role

Give me all of your money! That’s what Madison Class Challenge is all about, right? Wrong! Madison Class Challenge exists to educate students about the importance of private dollars for the sustainability and continued improvement of JMU. While tuition is absolutely essential for James Madison’s day-to-day operations, private dollars are how our university provides its students with the required resources and ability to remain competitive in the national collegiate community. The steering committee and challenge captains are student volunteers, who also pay tuition, but believe that establishing a culture of giving at JMU must start with the students in order to increase the amount of alumni who give. By participating in the campaign, no matter how little or large the contribution, students are making a choice to improve the value of their degree and contribute to the future of JMU. Many complaints from students about the lack of resources, such as parking, can be solved through increased private funding for the university. Participation is our goal, which is why gifts start at $5 and can be designated to any area of the university that has an established fund. There’s no denying that everyone loves JMU and will tell the world how wonderful this place is. We need students to be the change so that our university will continue to thrive.

Gwendolyn Brantley, senior communications major & student director, Madison Class Challenge

Abortion vigil could have been time better spent

I saw the Dukes for Life candlelight vigil on the commons Tuesday night, and frankly, I felt the time spent lighting all those candles could have been better spent on safe-sex education and unwanted pregnancy prevention. For each candle I saw lit, I didn’t see an aborted fetus; I saw a woman who likely struggled morally to make her decision and in the end, decided what was right for her. And as I walked by, I felt so grateful to have the choice to make that decision myself and have access to clean, sterile and safe facilities instead of some dark alleyway with a dirty coat hanger.

Tracie Nelms, senior biology and psychology major