Letters
Best April Fools’ joke is SALP
I am a current student senator and student group coordinator and I have consistently had the student process used against me by my advisors in SALP, especially by Natalee Webb. They forget whom they are working for!
Well, let me tell them. Natalee, you work for me, the student! These are the people who are here to help us navigate through the process, not deliberately abuse it to further one’s own advancement in our educational institution. So, when I heard that Natalee was resigning a sigh of relief came over me. That’s one less corrupt administrator to make my educational experience more difficult. She shouldn’t have to resign – she should be fired. But apparently lying, misleading students, abusing the process, and being corrupt don’t qualify Webb for termination here at PSU. But when it came clear that it was an April Fools’ joke, it was even more clear as to why Natalee should not be our advisor. It proved SALP is completely unprofessional and thinks we are a bunch of fools. There is a serious problem here and nothing is being done about it. Help!
SALP is the joke!
Amy Connolly
Student
I, for one, would like to know what is going on with the Natalee Webb situation ["ASPSU in tangled Webb," April 1]. There has been a flurry of controversy surrounding the alleged resignation of Natalee Webb. When I came back to the Smith Center today [April 1] it was because I heard that Natalee had resigned. Now I am being told that it was an April Fools’ joke. This is absolutely disgusting behavior and I can’t believe the sophomoric actions that are occurring. Students and student groups have been jerked around all day in a disgusting display of secrecy. I am so angry that a situation like this is being joked about. The situation that Natalee Webb has put herself in is serious and I believe that a joke of this magnitude is insulting and takes away large amounts of respect for SALP and its advisors. Everyone enjoys a small joke, but when someone tells many students that a falsehood is a truth it is very evident that such a high amount of disregard is present. This is a slap in the face from Natalee Webb and will not be taken lightly. I call for a real resignation.
Adas Lis
Student
"Porco Rosso" is the first anime I have seen, and I was intrigued by it ["Spirits away!" March 3]. What inspired me to comment, though, was the quality of the review. Its descriptions helped me to sort out and evaluate my rather jumbled impression of this strange genre. They touched on the most important points, cogently arranged, and just plain well written. This review ranks with professional work in the better newspapers and magazines. Kudos to Mr. Krow.
Mitchell Strickler
Washington, DC
Language bias disappointing
I’m writing to question Art Chenoweth’s use of language in his article ["Books or megabytes," Mar. 31, 2005] on Millar Library and its new head librarian. I believe that news stories conventionally lead with the most salient facts. I have to wonder, then, why the third paragraph begins by describing Ms. Spalding as "tall" and "statuesque." Are these crucial qualities for someone in her position? Are they newsworthy? Would she have been described in terms of her body if the appropriate adjectives were "short" and "portly?"
If Chenoweth had been writing an article on a student athlete, I could understand why build and stature would have been details worth including. I fail to see, however, what relevance they have in this particular piece. I also can’t recall a news story in which a male faculty or staff member was described in terms of his appearance or build.
Perhaps in the future, the Vanguard should stick to news in its news stories and leave superfluous description to human-interest pieces.
Alicia Smith
Student
