After reading your article (“E-mail surveys need for ARCs,” Oct. 8), I was astounded to hear that the president of the Union Drive Association, Mr. Ross Kelderman, was suggesting cutting the ARC positions. This is a flawed idea.

I believe this because ARCs do many things to help out their residents. My ARC has helped me in many ways; she has helped me with academics, roommates, and she is always there when I need her. One Saturday, my ARC invited me to come to the Parks Library to study. She helped me focus on catching up on my meteorology. She is always asking me how my classes are and how I am doing in them. My ARC is a very good listener; she does not mind sitting and listening to the trouble I am having with my classes. When I was having difficulty catching up in my chemistry class because I missed a week because I had to go home for an emergency, she did not mind looking up the professor and giving me his e-mail.

One of the biggest problems I had was when my roommates and I got into a big argument. I got so mad that I went over to my ARC’s room at 1 a.m. When she heard me knocking at her door from next door, she cut her studying with her friend short to come help me. She then stayed up until 3 a.m. typing an e-mail to the residence hall director while I explained what happened.

I am just a freshman, so I do not know what else you can cut; just please do not cut the ARCs. They bring many benefits to the students of Iowa State.

Vivian d’Alelio

Freshman

Liberal Arts and Sciences-Open Option