To the editor:

Professor Seppalainen’s Oct. 26 letter, “Jingle Jangle Jingoists,” made some great points about the benefits of open criticism, debate and intellectual inquiry.

Like the professor, I was also pleased to see Eric Hiatt express his concerns about past U.S. military campaigns and involvement because I believe that subject is worthy of more consideration, awareness and discussion.

However, I disagree with Professor Seppalainen’s belief that “little, local issues” like the naming of campus buildings and Veishea do not really matter.

In fact, it is student involvement in these “little, local issues” that demonstrate to me that many young people are indeed concerned about what goes on in their own communities.

We have recently seen that Iowa State’s students recognize the impact of institutional decisions on their lives and are even willing to publicly investigate and challenge some of those decisions.

Recent examples include GSB’s response to a tuition increase, the forming of a special committee to respond to the needs and concerns of students with regard to the Department of Residence, GSB’s response to the dry Veishea pledge and the Towers Residence Association’s rejection of the dry Veishea ultimatum.

There are, of course, other examples of student activities and civic involvement that receive little publicity but exist nonetheless.

While these student responses may seem insignificant when compared to national and global issues, perhaps we can see them as a good start to continued civic involvement.

Things that may seem silly or unimportant to Seppalainen, like the naming of campus buildings, are important to me as a member of this community.

More importantly, student involvement in local issues does not necessarily preclude our engagement in issues external to ISU; it seems careless to make that assumption.

Students who develop the skills to critically evaluate their political and institutional surroundings at the community level will hopefully be better able to engage in national and global issues.

It takes courage to question and challenge institutional decisions and mandates.

Therefore, I believe that student involvement in local issues should be encouraged, rather than discouraged, to reinforce continued political awareness, civic involvement, and intellectual inquiry.

Lynn Wellnitz

Junior

History