Making the most of a bad situation

The following editorial appeared in the 12/11/98 print issue of Hoosier Review.

Students across campus are upset for a various number of reasons. Some are upset because dining halls are being closed. Others are upset because of a lack of good food. Still, others are mad because we can't use our points at stores in dorms like Teter.

However, for those on the staff of Hoosier Review, there is another bad decision that raises concern. And that issue is the number of points students were forced to buy.

Staffers have more points than we can possibly use. Two people have almost 300 more points than was estimated to have by IU. Other staffers have various amount of extra points that can not be used very well.

So what can be done about these extra points? IU probably won't be willing to give refunds. So should we students be willing to just give up hundreds of dollars at the end of the year?

Well, we really don't have much of a choice. If we don't spend the points, we will lose them. So, let's use them.

A group of HR staffers has come up with a plan, and we want you to join us. At the end of the year, we will be calling various shelters, day-care centers, and other similar places with the same basic message: "Grab a truck, we have X number of dollars for you."

So, if you want to help with this effort, you can, and your donation, no matter what the size will be greatly appreciated. Please help those less fortunate than yourself. Email us at hoosier_review@hotmail.com and tell us you want to help. Thank you for your help.

Well, there's not a lot I want to say about that, as it is pretty much self-explanatory. However, I do want to talk about a comment that was made about the idea on "IU Talk", a radio program of WIUS (AM 1570).

When the idea was presented, most of the panelists thought it was a good idea. But one said something to the effect of, "Wow, I'm really surprised at that idea. It's so unlike conservatives." Let's think about that statement.

Is that a fair stereotype of conservatives? I don't think so. I think it is unfair to state that conservatives don't care about the less-fortunate, just because of the idea that conservatives are wealthy.

I think that it is a better idea to get past the liberal/conservative thing here, and move forward to help the less-fortunate, especially here in the Christmas Season. And that's the real deal.