I'd just like to start by pointing out an interesting dichotomy in Issue 24. Two articles literally juxtaposed on opposing pages that show some of the issues facing this university, and I think both are useful in understanding the other.

  I am of course talking about Maggie Malach's opinion article "Re-rack" and Jeff Schumacher's opinion article regarding the closing of KU Pub and the communication issues that the university has with its

students.

  There was a particular accusation in Schumacher's article that I found to be particularly true and therefore, particularly interesting, "It is unfortunate then that no one, including this newspaper (for whatever reason), is willing to challenge the administration or its student leaders (except when it's an issue involving the banning of alcohol or alcohol-related events, a fact I find disappointing)."

  I found this sentence to be a rather accurate representation of the student body's stance on issues on campus and, lo and behold, on the previous page there is an article challenging the student body to make

a change on campus. Unfortunately, instead of the change that Mr. Schumacher was hoping for, a student working for positive change on campus, his point is proven as the article is purely and solely alcohol-related.

  As much as I would like to feel sympathy for opinons editors that have gotten vomited on in recent weeks, I have some fundamental issues with the article as a whole: While there are several things to take from these articles, there is one big issue to be addressed, why is it that students on campus don't react with any initiative towards issues that don't involve alcohol?

Why is it that students can rally around a cause such as KU pub closing or the alleged crackdown on Greek life on campus but cannot rally around any other causes or issues?

  Why, well past a week after the tragic earthquake in Haiti, has there not been an organized effort on campus to collect money or send resources to the island?

  While I would love to answer this question, I don't think that a broad generalization can be placed to cover every student on campus and their general lack of motivation. While Schumacher's argument that students are complacent because of a lack of transparency and communication from the administrators, I doubt that this is applicable for every student.

  I, however, think that a better, although more than likely still not applicable to everyone, generalization is that students who would like to participate simply don't have an outlet to get involved.

If there is one thing that the University of Dayton stresses, it's the sense of community on campus. How then are student organizations that cluster students into like-minded groups set on accomplishing the same things not emphasized or facilitated by the administration? Why is there not a centralized place where I can get involved or find out what is going on throughout the University? Why does it seem that all activities, especially those on the weekend have to be alcohol related?

  I disagree that students are complacent because of a lack of communication with the administration, but I do think that this is an aspect. The administration would undoubtedly be more willing to engage in dialogue with an organized, motivated group than with a loose band of unrelated individuals, no matter how noble their intentions.

  Therefore, I think the fundamental issue is that student groups lack an outlet to get students involved and to rally around a cause, or even get involved in attending non-alcohol related events. If such an outlet existed, or if the student groups were willing to reach out to get students involved, I think that the change Schumacher is hoping for would be possible.