Make dorm maintenance top priority
The dorms are the living quarters for many students on campus, including all freshmen. These students sleep, eat, study and hang out with their peers in these buildings.
Given that students spend so much time in these living environments, we believe that maintenance should be a top priority. Much attention is paid to the housing process, to ensure that students enjoy the company of their roommates and are able to choose from a variety of campus housing options. But the numerous maintenance problems (e.g. leaky roofs, elevator issues, mold, etc.) leave many students feeling stuck between a rush and a hard place.
We realize the university must make priorities with their finances, so we cannot expect everything to be perfect. Still, the university should continue to remember that living situations are one of the most vital components to the student experience. We hope that issues with the dorms are handled promptly and thoroughly by the university, allocating sufficient funds for the maintenance and facilities team to respond. More importantly, students need to remember to treat the campus housing facilities as they would their own homes.
Prindle still thought-provoking
Coming off a series of diverse topic discussions held at or organized by staffers of the Prindle Institute for Ethics — from gender discrimination to evolution to prisons — Prindle's sustained its pattern of hosting thought-provoking, challenging topical events.
In just the past eight days the institute brought three diverse conversations. The founders of an organization which combats discrimination against young girls in India detailed their struggles against atrocious offenses against young girls.
Scholars in evolutionary science and public policy came together this week to discuss how the ethical foundations of evolutionary theory might apply to current policy debates. Yesterday afternoon, an Indiana State professor and expert on prisoner radicalization gave a speech organized through the institute.
Each of these events potentially links to students' majors or class materials, and sessions on such wide-ranging topics add substantially to the intellectual fabric of campus. Shuttle service is, impressively, always available, and we hope students keep venturing out to the edge of campus to engage in a discourse stretching across disciplines, enhancing their liberal arts experiences.
— Ellen Kobe did not participate in this editorial.