2008 Woodie Awards
Budget should be used more effectively
Mark Maher '08
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: Opinion
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There's a reason why we use the term "knee-jerk" reaction. It is because they come naturally to us; they appear reflexive. Who among us has not been tempted to punch someone in the face when they insult us or has not threatened to move out when our parents did something that we thought was unfair? However, here's the thing about knee-jerk reactions-they are usually dumb.
Take 9/11, for example. After September 11, we were scared, and frankly, who wouldn't be? Suddenly, all we wanted was to feel safe again. In our haste, as a nation, we did a lot of stupid things that have given us a false sense of security and may in the long run only hurt us. Last year our nation faced the tragedy at Virginia Tech. Even universities, thought to be a safe haven of education, suddenly became places where you have to watch your back at every turn. So we got scared again and we did more stupid things.
Now, I don't believe that it's appropriate to equate U.S. foreign policy with Saint Joseph's response to Virginia Tech; I only used it as an example. However, in response to this tragedy, and under the guise of making our school safer, St. Joe's has undertaken dumb, wasteful actions.
I should say that St. Joe's has taken some very important steps in the right direction. The policy of having everyone's cell phone numbers makes a lot of sense; I know I would like to be alerted as soon as an emergency happens. Furthermore, we already receive alerts via MySJU and our e-mails relatively soon after an emergency. These are all actions that serve to protect the student body, but let's take a look at some of the other "steps" the university has taken.
First, and probably the most contested, is the swipe policy in the Drexel Library. Frankly, I find it hard to believe that the swipe was installed out of genuine concern for the student body. In reality, it gives students a false sense of security that is unwarranted. I'd guess that most of the theft in the library is committed by students, and any student wishing to inflict violence could do so easily. Also, just about anyone can still get in before 10 p.m. as long as they have a driver's license.
Take 9/11, for example. After September 11, we were scared, and frankly, who wouldn't be? Suddenly, all we wanted was to feel safe again. In our haste, as a nation, we did a lot of stupid things that have given us a false sense of security and may in the long run only hurt us. Last year our nation faced the tragedy at Virginia Tech. Even universities, thought to be a safe haven of education, suddenly became places where you have to watch your back at every turn. So we got scared again and we did more stupid things.
Now, I don't believe that it's appropriate to equate U.S. foreign policy with Saint Joseph's response to Virginia Tech; I only used it as an example. However, in response to this tragedy, and under the guise of making our school safer, St. Joe's has undertaken dumb, wasteful actions.
I should say that St. Joe's has taken some very important steps in the right direction. The policy of having everyone's cell phone numbers makes a lot of sense; I know I would like to be alerted as soon as an emergency happens. Furthermore, we already receive alerts via MySJU and our e-mails relatively soon after an emergency. These are all actions that serve to protect the student body, but let's take a look at some of the other "steps" the university has taken.
First, and probably the most contested, is the swipe policy in the Drexel Library. Frankly, I find it hard to believe that the swipe was installed out of genuine concern for the student body. In reality, it gives students a false sense of security that is unwarranted. I'd guess that most of the theft in the library is committed by students, and any student wishing to inflict violence could do so easily. Also, just about anyone can still get in before 10 p.m. as long as they have a driver's license.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Justin H
posted 10/19/07 @ 3:03 PM EST
This is a really good article. Your last paragraph on complacency is particularly accurate and is something I've thought about myself. More should be said about student apathy, and about the hypocrisy of a school/country that stands firmly against immoral things like sweatshops yet does absolutely nothing about it. (Continued…)
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