Letter to the Editor

To the editor:

Once again, the Daily staff has failed to feature what is truly important and valued by the majority of ISU students and faculty.

It is sad to see an important event like the Polar Bear Plunge took a backseat in Monday’s paper to a drag queen weekend dance held in the Memorial Union.

The half-page picture on the front page of the April 2 issue gives yet another free plug to the Awareness Days 2000 campaign.

The Daily has overemphasized this campaign that involves less than 5 percent of the ISU student population.

In comparison, events such as Fall and Spring Blood Drive save hundreds of lives each year, Dance Marathon raised thousands of dollars for the Children’s Miracle Network, and Polar Bear Plunge raised $27,000 for the Special Olympics of Iowa.

They not only raise money for worth-while causes, but involve ISU students working together to make a difference in other people’s lives.

These students unselfishly give up countless hours to organize and participate in these events and continually receive pathetic coverage from the Iowa State Daily.

Meanwhile, small controversial organizations headline this unprofessional paper.

The Daily’s slogan claims “Serving Iowa State University since 1890.”

It is time the Daily starts respecting the majority of the ISU students by headlining the meaningful, influential things that they are doing to improve their community and help those in need.

How can the Daily justify giving free, weeklong coverage to organizations that involve so few ISU students by promoting their own self-interests?

We question why the Daily staff refuses to give more recognition to activities that involve the vast majority of the ISU students, such as Veishea, Parents’ Weekend, Greek Week and Homecoming that promote Iowa State.

Wake up, Daily! Change your slogan or improve your professionalism by prioritizing your coverage to represent the worthiness of the activity in relation to the entire campus population!

Kyle Mehmen

Senior

Agricultural studies

Matthew Schaefer

Senior

Agricultural business