Dear Editor:

There are two things people should consider before ever doing anything: time and place. And Friday, during Mane Event, was not the time nor the place to do Senate inaugurations and addresses.

Mane Event is, in a couple of words, a party. And while it may seem like the opportune time to do Senate business, (seeing as how the community is united giving new senators a chance to meet/greet their new constituents) in reality, it is not.

How frustrating was it trying to hear Jodi and Dustin practically yelling over those who were talking? I’ll admit, after struggling to hear them for a while, I myself stopped listening.

Mane Event was going well despite the weather and everyone seemed to be having fun only to have to practically stop the momentum of the party for almost an hour to do Senate stuff? This delay set the whole program back and honestly, while I know Jodi and Dustin meant well, their message was lost among the chatter.

Perhaps it was just the venue that made everyone restless and more likely to talk. We were crammed pretty tightly in the ballroom listening to the same, “state your name and office” over and over and over again. Maybe if the weather had allowed, an outdoor inauguration wouldn’t have been so bad. But I do urge those involved in putting together Mane Event to seriously reconsider structuring this particular part. The thing that had me confused, is that senators had a meeting following their inauguration! Why couldn’t they have been sworn in then?

While I’m on it, another thing that had me livid was the behavior of those visiting our campus for Mane Event. I was extremely shocked and disappointed in the visiting ladies (and I use the term VERY loosely) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. One big girl in particular stood in front of those that actually paid with their student fees for this event and screamed, “Back up!” while waving her hands in the air. She literally yelled at the students who made it possible for her ass to even come to such an event. The fact that none of our own Deltas, nor members of Program Council found it necessary to control these “visitors” is just poor organization.

(Un)fortunately, I never hesitate to take matters into my hands when necessary and I reminded her just where she was (SMU) and who she was not (a paying SMU student).

Overall, I enjoyed my last Mane Event as an outgoing senior. The food was good, the atmosphere was great and everyone put on a great show. I just ask that responsible parties remember and take into consideration the two elements that make the difference between a successful event and failed one – time and place.

Sonya Cole

Senior journalism and English major

Dear Editor:

I am writing in response to Jake Lewis’ article “Mane Event misses mass appeal, and would like to say, that for someone who likes “tight hip hop,” Mr.Lewis was sorely lacking when he called 112 “nothing more than a Boyz II Men wannabe boy band.”

First off, 112 is NOTHING like Boyz II Men. While Boyz II Men sang more syrupy ballad-type music áaacute; la ‘N Sync, 112 sings music that you can dance to; i.e. “Peaches ‘N Cream” and “Dance Wit Me.” Each is part of a different subgenera of R&B. Yes, 112’s repertoire does include ballads but these are in the minority and the style is nothing close to what Boyz II Men conjured up when they were actually popular. I wonder if Mr. Lewis has ever heard “Cupid?” Well, he’ll get that chance tomorrow.

I would also like to point out that many hip hop artists will opt for instrumental versions of their songs when singing live. Mr. Lewis should be able to recall that Coolio, whose songs consist mostly of synthesized beats, used live instruments in his act when he visited SMU.

Next, Jake claims that “112 does not represent everyone’s interest.” Oh, and Coolio does? The whole point of these gatherings is to listen to music, let loose and above all, to have FUN. Students will enjoy themselves whether they are listening to some guy in dreadlocks telling them to “come along and ride on a fantasy” or a group telling them about “peaches ‘n cream.” Chances are that, if a group has had more than one song played on a Top 4O station, everyone will be able to sing along regardless of musical preference.

Mr. Lewis also remarked that “just because Jay-Z rhymed on one of their tracks doesn’t mean they deserve any credit whatsoever.” You are right, Mr. Lewis, they don’t. They deserve credit for having entered the music scene when Boyz II Men were just boys and for STILL being here after that group threw in the towel. I wonder if Mr. Lewis has any idea that the album in which Jay-Z “rhymed” on is their third?

As for Mr. Lewis’ confusion regarding the PC member’s comment that the council gave students the opportunity to voice their opinions earlier in the semester, that was not a lie. I specifically remember seeing neon green signs plastered on doors, walls and even bathroom stalls across campus inviting students to attend PC meetings. It just so happens that I, like many other students, ignored the invitation because I was too busy wondering how I was going to write a five page paper in two hours.

I, for one, would like to commend the Program Council for bringing quality entertainment to this campus. How many of us saw “American Pie 2” or will see “Ocean’s 11” and “Monster’s Ball” next week? The fact that the PC has made an actual effort to promote this Mane Event is commendable considering that many people cried “I didn’t know or d’oh” when Coolio was the headlining act. I want to encourage students to attend today’s Mane Event from 3-6p.m. to prove the stereotype that SMU is riddled with apathetic students who just don’t give a damn, wrong. Let’s show them we do by taking in a spoonful of “Peaches ‘N Cream.”

Sonia Mijares

Third Year English/Psych Major

Dear Editor:

I have read your April 24 article about University Gardens condominiums and have a healthy respect for your publication. You have done an unbiased and well-researched story.

It is ironic that it takes an SMU newspapers to lay bare the politics behind SMU acquisition of these units.

You may be interested that there are still about 35 of us left with some 40-plus units who did not sell to SMU. We will not sell until the university offers a realistic price, which is closer to $200 a square foot than $95 that SMU offered.

Yves Gerem

Dear Editor:

The University deserves the grade of F for Parking as stated in the Daily Campus on Friday, April 26. A few years ago, we paid $96 per year to park, now we’re going to pay $240 a year!

Even though all the faculty and staff will be paying $240 per year to park we do NOT all have equal access to parking. Many faculty and staff do not have access to the gated lots near our buildings, we have to get here very early in the morning to park on the street or we walk several blocks to & from the parking garage, especially those of us in Fondren Library and Clements. Other people come rolling in at 9:00 a.m. or later and pull into the gated lots.

The only parking places the police ever block for special visitors are the few parking places on Airline in which we can park. Construction crews for the last several years have been using many of our parking places, too. The F/S parking places along Airline east of the library, are also vulnerable to parking by unstickered vehicles. Regardless of the reason, unstickered vehicles are still taking places that we PAY dearly for.

It only seems fair that people who park in the gated lots should PAY MORE for their “reserved parking” than those of us who never know for sure where we will be able to park.

To all those who park in the gated lots and say “Why don’t you park in the parking garage?” – we say “Why don’t you park in the parking garage and let us park in your reserved lot?”.

Cynthia Standfield