The Western Concept

Note: The following letters are opinions of people who are not affiliated with The Western Concept. The Concept does not, in any way, endorse or reject the views. The Concept is also not liable for any of the views expressed.
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ROCK VANDALIZED:
In your piece “DSU Rock Vandalized” you state that “The DSU Rock in front of Klinefelter Hall was vandalized over Friday night by a group of unknown students.” Why “unknown students”? Why “students”? Couldn’t it be anyone?
- Mike Frank
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Editor’s note:
The phrase “unknown students” has been replaced by “unknown people.” Thank you for your input.
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TUITION INCREASE:
Sudden significant tuition increases will always attract attention. Yet for planning purposes, students should be demanding a regular increase that reflects inflationary increases plus a certain percentage for growth. Were such an idea implemented, students could also campaign for tuition and fee rates that were made clear (including anticipated increases) when they first enrolled and function just as the catalogue does for courses. Students could plan accordingly and unless confronted by unforseen circumstances, the university would have the funds it needs for growth.
- David A. Meier
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THEODORE ROOSEVELT HONORS PROGRAM:
I would just like to comment on the TR program’s celebration of its fifth anniversary. According to the article, “The program marked its fifth year of existence in 2006.” My only problem with this celebration is that the program was created in the year 2000, making 2006 its sixth anniversary. The first group of TR’s received their scholarships in the spring of 2000, and came to DSU in the fall. Therefore, one could say the program either began in the spring, when the first group received their award letter; or in the fall, when they started school. Either way, this would mean the program is wrapping up its fifth year, not starting it, as the article implies. I suppose some people may enjoy celebrating anniversaries at the end of the year, but normally people celebrate anniversaries on the actual date, or at least close to the date. What the program is doing is like someone celebrating their 20th birthday as they are about to turn 21.
- A TR Scholar
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CANDIDATE WRITES ABOUT INVESTMENT IN NORTH DAKOTA:
Double-digit tuition increases. $80 per student per semester fees for a ConnectND system that doesn’t work like it was supposed to. Budget cuts to student loan programs. Not enough career opportunities. Is it any wonder North Dakota has an out-migration problem? And why doesn’t anyone seem to be doing anything about it? For too long, North Dakota has neglected to invest in its most important resource – its young people. Fortunately, election year 2006 presents an opportunity to change all that. By getting involved at the grass roots level, and following through at the ballot box, young people can help bring about the positive change that this state so urgently needs. The coming election cycle will present many opportunities for students to make their voices heard, like getting involved with campus political organizations, volunteering as campaign workers, sending letters to the editor, blogging or emailing friends and family in support of particular issues or candidates and, of course, voting on Election Day. With your help, North Dakota can be a better place for young people.Brent Edison
Tax Commissioner Candidate
P.O. Box 1276
Bismarck, ND
58502-1276
701-527-5376
Brent@BrentEdison.com
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I really appreciated Lisa Rask’s fine article about the TR Program marking its fifth year. The anonymous reader is correct, the TR Program is just now completing its sixth year of existence, but the occasion of the article was a five-year program review, which took place after the TR Program had completed its fifth year. So the TR Program is indeed six years old, but the milestone observed just recently was the completion of five years. The important thing, in my opinion, is what a terrific article Lisa wrote, and that she tells the the story of an Honors Leadership Program of which we can all be proud. Dickinson State University has crafted a unique, substantive leadership studies curriculum, putting its own stamp on the common approach to honors education, and has supported it to a degree rarely found in institutions of this size. These are not just my opinions, they’re some of the observations you will find in the final report of the 5-year program review final report. (By the way, the site visit team that conducted that review consisted of two past presidents of the National Collegiate Honors Council.) You’ll be hearing more about that report in coming issues of The Western Concept, and the students, staff and faculty who are shaping the future of the TR Program will use it as a guide to continuous improvement for another five, or six, years!
-Dr. James Tallmon