Support higher ed. in fall elections
The Sept. 16 issue of The New York Times had an excellent editorial titled "Killing Off the American Future."
The piece notes the key role played by affordable, accessible public higher education in the success of our country but expresses concern over recent funding trends and the future ability of our country to compete in a globalized world.
Here at the College we are beginning to have firsthand experience in seeing the results of the severe budget reductions enacted by New Jersey's politicians.
There is no reason to think that such actions won't have a major impact, not only in New Jersey but also across our country. Unlike many other states and countries that are allocating more of their resources on public higher education, New Jersey is cutting back on state support.
Asking students to pay more tuition each year and employees to do more work for less pay is not the way to solve systemic problems.
The elections this fall provide the perfect opportunity for us to send a message to our representatives on State Street that supporting public higher education and making New Jersey public colleges appealing to high-achieving students is in the best long-term interests of our state.
It is up to all of us to let our legislators know how we feel about this and other important issues. Everyone needs to get involved!
Ralph Edelbach,
president,
The College of New Jersey federation of teachers
Angry comic critic is full of it
This is written in response to the letter that appeared in the Sept. 13 issue of The Signal criticizing the newspaper's comics.
While we understand your discontent at the current state of the comics in The Signal, we believe your approach towards fixing the problem is slightly flawed.
You suggest you will "shove a dull crayon up (your) ass and squat over a piece of paper, and come up with something more coherent and amusing" than the aforementioned comics.
While crayons are known to be non-toxic, their suggested use generally doesn't involve the anus.
Creativity is to be admired, but perhaps your approach is a bit too creative. Instead, we suggest you channel your creative energy into actually creating a comic that is better than those featured in The Signal.
Another inherent flaw in your argument has to do with the following promise: "I will gladly plant a steamy shit right in the middle of every newspaper printed."
Unless you have a documented medical condition such as irritable bowel syndrome, it is physically impossible to produce enough fecal matter to meet the demand you have set for yourself.
According to plumbingsupply.com, the average person "defecates some seven pounds per day." According to this statistic, you would not be able to fulfill your promise to the campus.
Another problem with your solution to the comic problem is the threat of disease.
We would much rather suffer a crappy (no pun intended) comic occasionally than run the risk of death from dysentery.
To conclude, maybe you should put your money where your mouth, or in this case, anus, is. Draw a comic better than those you complained about, or don't complain.
Patrick Bieger and Lisa Rosenow
Religion interferes in 9/11 memorial
The 11th of September is a day spent in reflection and remembrance of those who innocently lost their lives five years ago.
The College's Student Government Association (SGA) usually holds a memorial on the steps of Loser Hall with various speakers who say a few words to express how they feel.
Every year that I have been to the memorial, they have had a religious figure uttering phrases such as "let us thank the heavenly Father," "let us bow our heads to pray" and "Lord, hear our prayer."
Phrases such as these are improper to be said at an event sponsored by SGA at a public institution, especially one which encompasses students with many different beliefs and backgrounds.
SGA should be more mindful about who it invites to speak at such a sensitive event and acknowledge the fact that there are students on campus of other faiths, or no faith at all.
It is more suitable to have a moment of silence which everyone can take part in rather than a moment of prayer.
After all, students seeking comfort should not have to leave a memorial feeling offended and uncomfortable.
Khushbu Patel
