Despite marked shortcomings, like the liberal application of pesticides on campus green areas during the spring, members of the UW community have continually championed environmental protection (Earth Day was born here, in fact). With this in mind, I was shocked and disheartened to learn the university residence halls are replacing eco-friendly, 100 percent, post-consumer waste, recycled toilet paper with softer, 30 percent-recycled rolls in order to meet the demands of the unparalleled sensitivity of the incoming student body.
That's right, UW housing is responding to complaints that the TP is simply too rough for the future leaders of America. I spent my first year utilizing the facilities in Sullivan Hall and have no memories of discomfort (my roommates and I continue to use 100 percent recycled toilet paper at our apartment). I do remember, however, feeling encouraged that conservation was an important issue to the housing administration.
Supporting the use of recycled materials is an easy way to lessen our impact on a daily basis. If you live in the dorms and feel it is important for the university to continue leading the way on green issues, let housing know you prefer the toilet paper as is. As for the complainers, all I can say is toughen up!
As much as Ryan Corcoran may hope otherwise, being alderman isn't as easy as playing a power chord. His comments (Possible District 8 alder answers student questions, 1/26/2005) illustrate a huge lack of needed experience for the position as well as a confusing stand on many positions. In his interview Wednesday he states he is opposed to Ald. King's stance on minimum wage, yet not only does he not propose any semblance of an alternative to help us meet our cost of living, but six sentences later states he supports Gov. Doyle's proposed, smaller raise in the wage.
Also, if he's only \pretty good"" at keeping up on e-mails, how will he keep up with the hundreds of individual constituents who might contact him every day? Austin King has prided himself on always being accessible to the student body, and if Ryan wants to replace King he's going to have to do a lot better than what he's mentioned so far. The interview has done nothing to convince me that he is qualified for a position with such responsibility, muchless be a better option than the amazing representation we already have in Austin King.
