You completely missed the mark on your coverage of Hawthorn Court’s elections. Contrary to what you stated in your “In Our Opinion” column, Hawthorn Court’s next step is not to create its own government- that’s exactly what they were trying to do this time! Residents just don’t want a government here. Joining IRHA was just a small piece of the proposal before the residents. The constitution also had absolutely nothing to do with social programs like “ice cream socials and brother and sister floors” it was about representing the students to the Department of Residence and creating a constituency council for GSB. Why Hawthorn students didn’t want to join IRHA doesn’t make sense. IRHA would not have forced dorm regulations or dorm social life upon Hawthorn residents. It would have created a voice for Hawthorn residents with an established, credible organization, an organization that has always watched out for its constituents. For example, IRHA needs to affirm the Veishea pledge. Now, because of this vote, Hawthorn Court will not be asked for their opinions. Since IRHA now represents mostly younger students, the “no alcohol” rules for Veishea, if approved, will be pushed upon Hawthorn residents, who will have no say in the matter whatsoever. Joining IRHA also held other benefits for students: Free Friday Flicks are one example. I wonder how many Hawthorn residents will have a fit when they’re refused entrance to these movies. Hawthorn students voted against having a government here. Some did this because they wanted to “get away from the dorms.” So why on earth did they move into Department of Residence-owned housing?! Because of that, Hawthorn still will be under any regulations (like Veishea and the 24-hour move out policy from last year) that the Department of Residence wants to put us under, except that now we have no say in the matter whatsoever. Apparently Hawthorn students like this idea so much that they shot down the idea of having any government here. Our ancestors thought “taxation without representation” was such a bad thing that they fought to the death to have a say in the matters which affected them. Unfortunately, here in Hawthorn Court, we just don’t care about the matters which affect us. Michael Falk

Meteorology