Gazebo money still present

Yes, students, there is still $4,500 set aside for the creation of a gazebo on campus. This is contrary to the Oct. 1 Herald article “Gazebo money accounted for” and Dana Lockhart’s Oct. 10 letter to the editor. Only $8,000 was spent during this past summer, not $13,000 as stated in the story. I am still confused as to why and where the Herald came up with $13,000 and proceeded to make it appear that I said that. I know I never said $13,000 and I hope the Herald learns to quit putting words into my mouth.

If you want more information, please stop by the Student Government Association office, and I will be more than happy to help clear any confusion you may have.

Ross Pruitt

Vice President of Finance

SGA

Stop criticizing Nappy Roots

I’d like to respond to the criticism and slander that has been directed at Nappy Roots for the past few weeks. There have been plenty of unjust comments spread through the campus . Most of these comments have been made from assumptions, bad publicity and ignorance, mostly from the Herald – the same source of media that jumped on the bandwagon in 1998, when they anxiously put them on the cover of the paper. The very college that is supposed to be Nappy’s main supporters are ready to turn their backs on them at the most trying points in their career.

The group that you supposed fans know as Nappy Roots have been on tour for a little more than six months now, with very little time to spend with loved ones . The time they’ve devoted to their music is incredible; and for the Herald and students to turn and scrutinize them now is disgraceful. It’s funny how people love you when you’re hot . while at the same time hating you because they feel they deserve something special. Get real – this is a business. Nappy doesn’t owe Western, the students or the Herald anything .

If they hadn’t sold one million records (no thanks to those of you who didn’t by the CD) would you still be complaining about a concert that was rained out last year? Nappy Roots was looking forward to their performance in Bowling Green.

But how quickly we tend to hate on . those who have so much love for the place where they collaborated and developed into the group they are today.

And to those of you that think that Nappy skipped Western on their college tour, there was a spot that was intentionally left open for a particular school that seems to be the biggest hypocrites out there, whom I call the modern day Brutuses, those that smile in Nappy’s faces . but stab them in their backs when they are on the road. If that is what you call true fans, then you’re a poor group and you should be ashamed of yourselves.

. Nappy understands the frustrations of all their fans . They know a lot of you actually did buy the CD . They appreciate you dearly and love you all.

But it all revolves around whoever arranges the events at Western. That person . needs to contact Nappy’s agent and try to schedule a concert in the near future instead of crying and whining to the wind. Every single college that has contacted Nappy’s agent has been placed on the college tour. They haven’t declined a single college.

. All of you that are on the yard complaining, including the Herald, should get some facts before you start stabbing Nappy in the back.

Andre’ R. Brewer Sr. (brother of Nappy Roots band member)

Louisville senior

Police should do something about guns in dorms

In reference to the Oct. 29 story “Students concerned about gun reports,” Capt. Eugene Hoofer said that campus police are performing “regular walk throughs in select dorms.” He was also attributed saying “He doesn’t know what else police can do.”

I suggest putting police at the doorway of every building. Frisk and search people who want to enter the building the way you would be searched before entering a concert.

I’ve seen enough police respond to a hugging match outside a bar and doling out public intoxication citations to otherwise drunk drivers to be angry when I hear the police say “We don’t know what else to do.”

What to do then? Do what you can. Public schools and police departments don’t encourage the placement of an officer in a school for no reason. Police presence makes a difference.

I have no idea of the Western police department’s staffing or budgets, but I am dissatisfied with its answer to this problem. Maybe a rotating placement of two officers at the doorway of randomly selected dorms for a few weeks would make an impression.

I don’t know, I trust the police don’t know.

Doing something would certainly be better than simply shrugging our collective shoulders.

Trevor Frey

Toronto junior

Step Show was ignored

After eagerly flipping through the pages of the Herald on Tuesday, I immediately became upset. Where was the article on the NPHC Homecoming Step Show? I know it could not have been the brief account titled, “Tradition began as serenade.” (Oct. 29) There were no pictures of any of the five organizations represented Saturday night. There was no mention of who won. . I hope this does not come off the wrong way, but the story on Tabitha Briggs (“Life’s Rhythm” Oct. 29)was not a story on Step Show. . Her story and the article covering Step Show should have been two separate articles.

I called the Herald and asked would a story actually covering Step Show be placed in the Thursday paper and was told no.

Why not? Are we not as important as Shenanigans? Did you even ask any of us the time and energy we put into this? . Did you ask why it takes so long to put together a Step Show? Do you even know what stepping is? . I am not trying to hate because I enjoyed reading the story about Tabitha and find her an inspiration. She is doing what others would not even attempt. . But when I am told that that was the story covering Step Show, I can only shake my head in what probably should not be disbelief. That’s just how it goes for us.

April White

Hopkinsville junior

Briggs an inspiration

I want to thank Abbey Brown for writing the article about Tabitha Briggs (“Life’s Rhythm,” Oct. 29). She is an awesome person and a great inspiration to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community. As a sorority sister and daughter of a Breast Cancer survivor I have much respect for her determination to go above and beyond in any and everything she does. Thank you for the beautiful piece you wrote and for showcasing one of the greatest wonders of the world, Tabitha Briggs.

Danyale Ellis

Western Class of 2001

Step Show important to Western

I have to say this is one of the very few times I feel somewhat disappointed with the Herald. I have been a student at Western for four years, and for three of those four years, there have been large articles in the campus newspaper after the Step Show. This is the first year there is not. I found myself trying to come up with some rationale as to why that might be. Maybe the Herald staff is waiting to put it into Thursday’s paper, maybe there was too much other news that needed to be covered, or maybe they feel that the few brief statements that they wrote in Tuesday’s article on Delta Sigma Theta member Tabitha Briggs (Life’s Rhythm Oct. 29) and Thursdays blurb (“Tops and Bottoms” Oct. 31) with my fraternity’s name, Alpha Phi Alpha, spelled wrong was enough. After thinking about all of these possibilities, I came to the conclusion that none of them mattered. Few students realize the importance of the Step Show to the school and the amount of work it takes to organize it .

The fall Step Show has been taking place on Western’s campus for a little over 20 years . The fraternities and sororities are part of the Pan Hellenic Council – Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma and Omega Psi Phi- and work hard for months out of . the year to put on a show during Homecoming. . All of the money raised from the event is given back to Western for student scholarships. The twist is that this scholarship money isn’t just for African-American students but for any student attending Western. .

The Step Show has grown to be a symbol of unity and diversity . on Western’s campus. This year’s Step Show was full of African- Americans, whites and International students who came together to enjoy an event . This alone is a great symbol of how great our university is. What justice does it serve to keep such an impacting event in the dark. Something must be done.

Chandel Shanklin

Bowling Green senior