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THE VISTA
Smokers responsible, not tobacco companies
March 2, 1995
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recent court case in Mississippi made it possible to consider holding cigarette companies responsible for certain smoking-related health problems. Minnesota and West Virginia filed suits similar to a Florida law that forbids companies from arguing that smokers are partly responsible. Why not hold tobacco companies responsible? They make the things don't they? It's not as if the surgeon general hasn't been saying for the last decade that cigarettes are like coffins rolled in filter paper. How can they even make the things without a scent of remorse? That's like saying 'Hey, I've found a new way to screw up the human body! Let's offer it to a billion people with a smile.' Recent studies have reported that—as if tobacco isn't enough by itself—some cigarette companies put in extra health hazards to make their product more tasty and addictive. Why not hold them responsible? While we're at it, why don't we make alcohol companies responsible for liver disease and drunk driving. Why not? Because it's not the cigarette companies that flick the Bics and it's not the alcohol companies that guzzle the suds. If someone offers you a piece of bologna and tells you it's dipped in plutonium, you don't eat it. It's called common sense. People can decide not to smoke. They know the dangers. Yeah, yeah cigarettes ARE addictive. So is cocaine. Is there the same sympathy for a crack head violently raping an innocent fourteen-year-old girl? No; there is prison. Laws should make sure the consumer is informed about what can hurt them. Laws should enforce truth. When you light up, you get cancer. When you drink, don't drive. Practice unsafe sex and die of AIDS. People make decisions. Let them take responsibility.
CLARIFICATIO The Vista would like to clarify a headline that ran in the February 23 issue. It read, "Did 'refusal' to acknowledge a student's disability turn her grades upside-down?" The professor named in the article said he did acknowledge the student's disability. The allegation made in the article by the student, also, was that the professor did "acknowledge" her condition, but the student felt the professor did not "accommodate" the student properly. The Vista apologizes for any confusion.
Vol. 95, No. 39 (USPS 661-700) Editor in Chief Jennifer R. Palmer Managing Editor David L. Hanigar Copy Editor Sheila Nunnelee Copy Editor Cynthia Chung Sports Editor Mike Erwin Sports Writer Scott Moore Sports Writer Rachel Schnitzer Advertising Mgr. Wendy Williams Amelia Teoh Ad Sales Ad Sales Christy Strother Jerry Yeoh Ad Sales John Clanton Writer Iris Knight Writer Paul Eddy Writer Jason Webb Writer
Farzana Razak Writer Cynthia Chung Writer Writer Nicolette Cormier Elizabeth Hew Writer Writer Marta McCloskey Photography Editor John R. Gilmore Photographer David McNeese Photographer Christopher P. Smith Cartoonist/Artist Sean Ashby Pub. Relations Director Liz Dorris Circulation Mgr. Marcus Kok Production Mgr. Anthony Tompkins Morgue Director Marcus Kok Mark Hancbutt Adviser
Sean Ashby /The Vista
Professor rebuffs headline of article
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ast Thursday in The Vista was an article concerning a student's complaint that in my class I treated her unfairly. Here's a review of the facts of this case. 1. It is the responsibility of any student with a disability to inform and cooperate with the University and individual instructors concerning the disability and its ramifications on classroom performance. 2. The student has a reading comprehension disability. 3. I, as an instructor, and the University met the student's requests in Jan. 1994 and worked with her to accommodate her abilities. 4. The student performed poorly on class projects and on two tests. The test questions were mostly single words. I allowed her over two hours to complete each test—more time than was given any other student. She refused my offer to give
her the test orally. 5. At spring break, she stopped attending class. She did not discuss her decision with me. 6. She chose to not turn in over half of the semester's work. This earned her a zero for each project, test and exam missed, and therefore a semester course average of F. 7. At the end of the semester, she met with me to request that I give her a grade of I (Incomplete). 8. According to the UCO handbook, I could not give her an I since she chose to miss class and she chose to not turn in the work. 9. Ten months later, she pursues her dissatisfaction with the grade of F by filing a complaint with the school newspaper. The student made some poor decisions: cutting class, not turning in work and not discussing other options with the instructor. But these are her decisions and she must take the responsi-
The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by the students in the department of journalism on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the regular school term, except during exams and holidays, and on Thursdays only during the summer term at the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma 73034. Telephone number (405) 341-2980, Ext. 5549. One-year subscription rate $12. Second-clays postage paid at Edmond, Okla. "POSTMASTER:" Send address changes to The Vista, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK 73034.
Letters
Letters to the editor are not only welcome, but encouraged. All letters must be signed. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters must also include author's address and phone number for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit for space limitations and to comply with libel laws. Every effort will be made to preserve the integrity of the letter. Address letter to: Editor, The Vista, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK 73034 or deliver in person to the editor, Communications Building, Room 107. This publication, printed by the University of Central Oklahoma print shop, is issued by the University of Central Oklahoma as authorized by 'Fide 70 OS 1981, Section 391)3. 5,000 copies have been prepared at a cost of $300 (8pp), $400 for 12pp.
Communications Building, Room 107
bility to accept the consequences. I expect all students, with their variety of challenges and hardships, to take responsibility for their decisions and actions. I do appreciate The Vista for running a correction to the headline, "Did 'refusal' to acknowledge a student's disability turn her grades upside down?" I recognize that The Vista is a student-staffed learning environment. Mistakes are to be expected. I applaud their sincere efforts to rectify their errors. Learning from this event I suggest this advice for any student: • If you feel you've been treated unfairly, pursue your concern immediately. • Follow proper grade appeal procedures as published in the UCO handbook. • Be willing to accept the consequences for the decisions you make in your life.
—Dr. Jim Watson Department of Visual Arts and Design
