The Red and Black

Issue date: 10/10/08 Section: Opinions

Athens offers students too much alcohol

As a college town, I believe there should be more opportunities for fun without the use of substances such as alcohol.

Athens is a town completely centered on the bar scene, and I feel it leads to and increases the likelihood of students developing substance abuse disorders.

There are not many outlets for adults without being surrounded by extreme use of alcohol. In Athens alone, we have more than 70 bars for a student population of about 34,000.

College is supposed to be a time when we are expanding our minds and learning skills for our future.

The environment created in Athens does not encourage the students to focus on school.

It instead encourages students to experiment with binge drinking.

I feel like as a community, we should be giving more safe outlets for fun without the use of alcohol.

RACHEL WEISSMAN
Graduate Student, Marietta
Social Work

Practice what you preach, Univ.

I commend University President Michael Adams for encouraging students to take an active role in conserving energy.

"When you leave a room, turn off the light, lower the thermostat, close the door."

Yes, President Adams, this is a great idea, but why aren't you talking to your athletic program about Sanford Stadium's electronic signs and marquees pointlessly, and continuously advertising to empty red seat cushions in Sanford Stadium during the week?

I can drive by the stadium at 2 a.m. or pass by it after class on any given day and find the glowing and lit up signs advertising to an empty stadium.

Even if this is paid for by the Athletic Department, what type of example is this?

Why is the stadium allowed to waste energy in this manner?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I still see no point in advertising to an empty stadium, especially at 2 in the morning during the week.

STACIE AUSTIN
Senior, Conyers
Biology

Fashion should show individuality

Having always held the belief clothing is truly an expression of a person, it has been my constant hope that students would look inward and dress according to "who they are" rather than what they see plastered on the pages of magazines or conforming to the uniform of their peers.

As a fashion merchandise major, fashion is my passion, so Monday's Red & Black article, "Fashion blog critiques Athens style," disheartens me. Sites such as Allie Bashuk's are what make people perceive my major as shallow.

Clothing is identity and rather than give constructive criticism on how to improve the violations of fashion, Bashuk attacks her unassuming victims. Her comments are not funny quips meant purely for entertainment, but hurtful words that degrade individual characters. No actual fashion advice is given. She doesn't give descriptions with any evidence of an education in fashion.

Fashion was never meant to restrict and alienate but to liberate.

KATIE DERAY
Junior, Savannah
Fashion Merchandising

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools