PERSPECTIVES

Letter to the editor ...

Waiting lists... what waiting list?

Welcome back Mr. Kazanjian. As in most things in life, being low man/woman on the totem pole does present its challenge.

Freshman registration is indeed one of those challenging situations. Knowing this, the registrar's office has tried to make our students' journey easier by offering information on our web site about available classes, which enables the student to choose alternate classes before they register. Advisors are available at the registrar's office throughout freshmen registration to facilitate the process. A computer terminal is positioned outside our office showing all open and closed classes. Candies are on our counter to help sweeten the situation. What are not available to our undergraduate students are waiting lists.

In my five years working in the registrar's office we have never had a waiting list for our courses. I do not know where you got the infonnation Mr. Kazanjian, but waiting lists simply do not exist.

As for your advice of offering the registrar's office large amounts of money, we would greatly prefer a warm smile and a thank you from our students.

Have faith Mr. Kazanjian, registration is one of the few things in life that gets better with age.

Respectfu11ysubmitted,

Marlene Lofaro

Maria Chambers assistant photo editor

When I was a little girl (not that I'm so very old now) I would go over my cousin's house and we would watch Saturday morning cartoons. I distinctly remember my cousin Michelle yelling at me because I refused to watch "Care Bears" with her, but "Transfonners" was on at the same time and right after that was "Thundercats." So, my cousin Michael and I would go in the basement and watch the "cool shows" instead of the "girly shows."

I was always hanging out with the guys. (It's no wonder why I identify myself the way I do). It -. wasn't that I didn't like "Care Bears," it's just that I found different cartoons to be more appealing.

I didn't learn how to ride a two-wheeler until I was almost seven. I tried to learn when I was younger but I kept falling and getting hurt. My parents would discourage me without even knowing it because every time I fell and started to cry they would say, "Suck it up!" or, "You're not supposed to cry."

Emotions were something you were never allowed to show in my family and now they wonder why I don't smile around them. So I was a strong little girl; I was a "tough guy."

I'm still a tough guy, I'm just older, and a little bit taller. Some- wtien I tell her there's someone new in my life.

When I was about four, I remember that I used to absolutely love Tina Turner. I told my mom that when I grew up I was going to marry her. My mom told me that girls can't marry girls, and when I asked her why she looked at me like I should have known better and said, "They just can't."

To this day I am determined to prove her wrong. The funny thing is that she was completely and utterly shocked when I said, "Mom, I'm dating someone." It was like a scene from the musical, "Rent."

She said, "What's his name?"

My response was, "Carly." Now my mom is cool with the way I have chosen to live my life, but she still asks, "What's his name?"

I don't blame my mother for anything, I'm proud of who I am. I just want to vanquish those silly stereotypes about gay and lesbian people. Sure, I played with toy cars and GI Joe, but I played with dolls and I played house like every other girl.

So far my life has been about proving people wrong. I don·t try • to prove people wrong, nor do I do what I do just to say that I'm right. These are the facts. I've been attracted to girls since as long as I can remember and I believe that even ifl didn't play with toys designed for 'boys' I'd still be the person I am today.

Corrections

Guidance always available in the social work department

This letter is in reference to the Thursday, Dec. 6 article regarding "Multi-tasking: Professors Educate and Advise."

We could not help but notice that a "Social Work Major," Ms. Liz Malgieri, was unhappy with her advisor. It was brought to our attention that her advisor is not a faculty member in the social work department and perhaps more importantly, Ms. Malgieri has never met with any social work faculty.

In order to be accepted into the social work department, students must meet with social work faculty and make a formal application. If indeed Ms. Malgieri desires to be a social work major, she should contact the social work department at extension 8357 or 8359 and she will be assigned an advisor.

We felt that it was necessary to respond to Ms. Malgieri's concerns because we in the social work department pride ourselves in the advising that we provide for our majors. If students need to meet with us, all they need to do is call us and we will arrange a mutually convenient time. As an accredited program we recognize the importance of good advising and do our very best to provide this for all social work majors.

We look forward to working with Ms. Malgieri in the future.

Social Work Department