Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Letters CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 community for those committed to a truly “higher” education. FRANKY BROWN THIRD-YEAR ENGLISH STI'DENT Don’t blame USC for all education issues Shanna Reed’s attack on literature classes and higher education contained so many inflammatory remarks, it’s hard to know where to begin. The same boring stuff, over and over again, right? No. Not everybody has read the same works in high school and college. I was never assigned “Frankenstein” or “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” I read them of my own free will, outside of class. I never encountered “Hamlet” until my first semester of graduate school. Literature doesn’t seem “useful”? Utility isn’t art’s function. Aesthetic enrichment might not be as useful as networking, out mere are tnose ot us who prefer it. As a teaching assistant for ENGL 102,1 try to pass on this love of art and literature, but students are disinterested. Maybe they’re all bored or jaded, like Reed. Or maybe they lack the capacity to appreciate anything that requires flexing their “intellectual muscles.” If all the works of great literature bore you, maybe there’s something wrong with you. I do agree that what passes for a college education these days is quite sad. But don’t just blame colleges. The entire educational system is bankrupt. I find myself stalled in teaching literature because freshmen are unable to produce even a basic essay. Many students leave high school with minimal intellectual skills, and that requires college classes to sink to remedial levels. But instead of rashly branding college English teachers as inept, maybe Reed should change her major from journalism to education. They need more bright and ambitious people. She complains that the class sits like “Stepford children” being tortured with the great literary works of the Western world. Did she see the movie, or read the book? JENNA ADAIR ENGLISH GRADUATE STUDENT ‘Regular student’ is sick of elections I’m just a regular student at USC. I mind my own business and don’t harm anyone. But I’m sick and tired of hearing about Student Government elections, already! It just comes down to the numbers — Ankit Patel got more votes than David Bomemann did, so Patel is our next SG president. Patel is the big-time player that spoke to anyone who would hear him. Now the loser of the election feels like he got cheated. Well, who was at Delaney’s on Wednesday night buying beer? Yes, it was David Bornemann. Now I don’t know, but isn’t one of the big stories of the stupid election about his underage drinking? People are saying Patel “forced” people to vote. That can’t happen unless there is physical harm done to someone. Bomemann’s campaign manager said, “We’re talking about students at Carolina, y’all; we all know what they’re like.” What does that mean? Does it mean we can’t think for ourselves? I’m a student at Carolina, and I’m damn proud to be one, too. She also mentions something about Patel “cheated to get elected.” So why didn’t the Bornemann camp file its infractions earlier? Did the infractions all of sudden come to them, after Patel won the election? I think not! This is just a classic example of the tortoise and the hare. And we all know who won that. NIRMESH SHAH FIRST-YEAR GRADUATE STUDENT Submission Policy Letters to the editor should be less than 300 words and include name, phone number, professional title or year and major, if a student. Bring letters to Russell House 333 or e-mail gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com. The Gamecock reserves the right to edit for libel, style and space. Anonymous letters will not be published. Outside submissions supporting or opposing a candidate or a party in any election will not be run the day before or the day of an election^ Call the newsroom at 777 7726 for more information. ---I-I-I-I-1 No one told you the hardest part of being an engineer would be finding your first job. Of course, it’s still possible to get the high-tech work you want by joining the U.S. Air Force. You can leverage your degree immediately and get hands-on experience with some of the most sophisticated technology on earth.To find out how to get your career off * the ground, call 1-800-423-USAF or visit our Web site at airforce.com. ffjWnTM U.S. AIR FORCE _ ■ • 2 & 4 Bedroom Apartments • Full-Size Washers & Dryers in Units • Individual Leases • Decked-out Kitchens • Fully Furnished • Balconies • Roommate Matching • Computer Lab • Copy & Fax Availability \ • Basic Cable with HBO \ • Alarm Systems \ • Swimming Pool \ • Hot Tub \ • Fitness Center • TennisN^asketball & Sandlot Volleyball Courts \ • Rec Room with pool \ • Ping-Pong • Parklike Setting * ^Bsserved Parking 800 Alexander Rd ^ 803-939-0444 I