Part 2

My previous post was a tirade against the apparent hypocrisy of my college regarding sustainability. Honestly that post was a result of me being stressed, angry and above all cold. Now at the end of a really long week,TGIF, I can look back and talk about even more things that have been bugging me. So here is yet another letter to my university's president.

Dear President S,
I know that you probably don't want to see yet another letter from me at this point but I feel that it is importnant to address some other important issues. If you could please take the time out of your busy schedule to listen to the words of one of your students it would mean a lot. Now assuming that you have not yet crumpled this into a ball, or since we are online, sent this to the trash folder let us proceed. First on my agenda is the issue of prelims. Can we please change the name? I know you are trying to sound like a studious institution and all, and I respect that really I do but let's call these 'prelims' what they truly are, Soulless Humanless Inhumane Testing. This is only a suggestion of course. You do have the authority to call it whatever you wish just be aware that the student body recognizes the preceeding suggestion as the accurate title. Second topic is the swim requirement...

**I am deviating from the letter to explain the 'swim requirement.' My university requires its students to pass a swim test in order to graduate. I understand the importance of knowing how to swim but there are some factors that I think the administration has not taken the time to fully comprehend.

...I believe that to make it necessary to pass a swim test to get a diploma really unfair to some. First of all as a black woman with relaxed, or permed, hair do you understand the toll chlorine takes on my hair? No you don't do you? I'll admit that I am not a confident swimmer but that should be none of your business. If I want to know how to swim I'll take classes on my own time thanks. And staying on the subject of hair, having to have my hair professionally washed to make sure that no chlorine sticks around is really expensive here.

Moving on from my hair issues to more serious matters (though I consider my hair a very serious matter). Please understand that there are some people who have genuine water phobias. Some people just cannot handle being in or near a pool or deep water. Why do we need to penalize them for that? They can't help it. Unless you are paying for the professional help that they need to overcome their fears then please do not subject them to it. A better option would be to strongly recommend learning how to swim and give credits to those who participate in the swim classes (like you do now). I strongly believe that this should not be a requirement. In my opinion it is a personal matter that should not be regulated by an institution such as this.
Moving on from my criticisms of your administration I must say a big thank you for finally turning on the heat in my dorm. I can no longer complain about it being to cold in here and I have stopped wearing sweaters and bathrobes to bed. While I am quite certain that you did not read my previous letter (here's to hoping anyway) I am still going to claim full credit for this development. Thanks again.

Sincerely,
Allie.


PS thanks for making progress on the alfredo sauce issue. Now there is a hint of garlic but still not nearly enough. Still progress is progress.