EDITORIAL: Why we walked out, whether you did or not

We heard about the walkout. We heard the snide comments about how it’s pointless or stupid or counter-intuitive.

We still showed up. Here’s why.

Objection #1: Why did you walk out of a class you already paid for?

Because the degree we want – the reason we take classes – won’t be worth the paper it’s printed on if these budget cuts go through. We would rather sacrifice the time and money equivalent to one class meeting than see the thousands of dollars we’ve poured into our education go to waste.

Objection #2: Protests won’t work. Only voting can make a difference.

Legislators do listen. Maybe not every one, every time, but they do. They must. Even if they have no personal care for the welfare of their constituents, they care about being re-elected, and every representative knows better than to go the will of an informed public with a strong voice.

Plus, we’re stuck with the representatives we’ve got for now, so this is really a moot point. We have only the choice to fight or to stand by and watch our state be decimated.

Objection #3: This protest will be forgotten in a week. Don’t waste your time.

Your education will be worse than forgotten if we don’t stand up for right. The product of your hard work will be torn away from you and left to rot, an ugly, stinking reminder that you spent years here and then didn’t care enough to fight for them to mean something.

Objection #4: Suck it up and pay the higher tuition. In my day we had to earn our way through college. You’ve got it easy.

This is hardly about tuition. Sure, we would like to continue paying UNLV’s relatively low student fees, but we know we’ll have to come up with more money somehow and we’re prepared to pay a little more.

What we are not willing to do is shoulder the burden of the state’s nearly $900 million deficit.

We oppose the Internal Finance Committee’s recommendation to cut $110 million from the Nevada System of Higher Education: not because we want an easy go of it, but because that plan is short-sighted and dangerous for Nevada.

We are this state’s best hope for a bright future, so rain or shine, come hell or high water, we’re going to shout until someone hears us.

Make no mistake, we plan to win with or without the naysayers, but the sooner you use your brain and jump on board, the better chance we’ll all have at saving the spirit of this institution.

We know we are worth more than the price of a class. We are worth more than a sore throat from yelling outside the Grant Sawyer Building, more than freezing to the bone in the pouring rain.

And even if all you’re doing is sitting in judgment, we’re standing up for you, too.

EDITORIAL: Let’s fund education before entertainment

This week’s top story and the hottest item of discussion at Monday’s CSUN Senate meeting was Campus Life Director John Goldman’s proposed spring concert.

The discussion centered less on the proposal itself and more on the way it was handled. The item, which Goldman submitted on time and via proper channels, was removed at the last minute.

The CSUN Executive Board cited a need to focus on the additional budget cuts facing the university as their reason for removing the item for future discussion. Goldman and many senators were understandably upset at the omission, which, though likely well-intentioned, may have come off as a clandestine attempt at executive control over the Senate.

Although the CSUN Executive Board did not handle the agenda item gracefully, we agree that UNLV is in a dire budgetary situation – every dollar must be treated as a precious resource that could bring our campus one step closer to making it through this crisis.

When the item finally officially reaches the Senate, it is our hope that they weigh its importance carefully.

A concert, especially in our current situation, simply isn’t a good use of student money.

We’ve seen many CSUN initiatives that greatly benefit the university community in both the long term (like safer crosswalks on Maryland Parkway) and on a scale that benefits many students (like the textbook borrowing program for common classes).

We’ve also seen that CSUN is willing to fund student organizations, which create a favorable, diverse environment at UNLV and foster the unique campus life experience found at this university.

Does UNLV need to host a costly spring concert right now? Is a one-night-only event truly going to make a difference for students? For the long-term survival of the university?

Is it wise to put on an entertainment event like this if our own Entertainment and Events Management program could use funding?

Another hypothetical situation: Fine arts departments are frequently the first thing on the chopping block in budget cut situations, in both K-12 and higher education.

Would we rather bring in bands for a concert or take steps toward maintaining our own fine arts department?

We hope that when this particular proposal does make it to the Senate floor, it is given a critical eye and that the Senate makes its priorities known.

EDITORIAL: New writing faculty is best use of UNLV’s short funds

The UNLV Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing is hiring. Read more

EDITORIAL: Dangerous fake proposal taunts, discourages

No one really thinks Republican governor Jim Gibbons’ proposal to cut K-12 education funding and restructure state-level governance of schools will pass the Democratic state legislature. Read more

EDITORIAL: What we give thanks for

It’s that time of year. In keeping with the spirit of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, some of us  here at The Rebel Yell have decided to share what we’re grateful for. Read more

EDITORIAL: Student veterans integral to UNLV

The UNLV Student Veterans Organization estimates that about 500 veterans are enrolled at the university.

This is the largest concentration of veterans in Nevada, and just one of the many reasons Rebels should pay extra thanks to those who serve the U.S. with their time and their lives.

The culture of nontraditional students, like student veterans, is part of what defines UNLV’s unique identity. As students, it is fitting that we celebrate Veterans’ Day not only as a time to remember members of the armed forces, but as an opportunity to acknowledge how the lives and experiences of the veterans among us enrich the culture of this university and aid its rise.

The UNLV SVO is a fine example of what students can do to make a difference and of how the hard work of a few visionary members of the campus community can make a big difference for the future.

After a period of dormancy, the SVO reappeared on the student organization scene in late 2008, after former president Michael Dakduk noticed the need for a place where student veterans could come together to share experiences, build relationships and find support as they acclimatized to civilian life and higher education.

Less than a year later, Dakduk was elected to the position of vice president for the national organization Student Veterans of America, continuing his commitment to service in a new way.

Because of the vision and passion of this student veteran, UNLV has gained national notoriety and begun stepping up to lead other institutions toward greater understanding of one of the most often overlooked demographics on college campuses.

The men and women, like current president Antonio Montenegro, who helped Dakduk breathe new life into the SVO are still here, working tirelessly to bring opportunities to our student veterans.

Their efforts exemplify an ideal that extends beyond the public recognition veterans see nationally on the days set aside each year to remember them.

There have been plans for some time to construct a monument at UNLV to honor our veterans – the first of its kind in Las Vegas. From what we have heard, these plans have been moving along and the plan may come to fruition soon, an impressive feat for a student organization on this campus.

As you return from the Veterans Day recess, ponder this: UNLV is home to about 500 people who live every day as both veterans and Rebels. It is only fitting that we should recognize this dual identity for how good and honorable it is, just as often.

UNLV should be proud to have the opportunity to have these men and women on our campus, and always remember what they have done for our community and nation.

EDITORIAL: UNLV flies high as voices rise

On our way to our Student Union offices yesterday morning, we were greeted by the sounds of chanting in protest. As fans of student activism (see our Oct. 29 editorial, for just one example), we were both pleased and curious.

We were met by members of the UNLV student organization United Coalition for Im/migrant Rights and other individuals from the community, just outside of Chipotle Mexican Grill, who were speaking out against the wages paid to the Florida farm workers who harvest tomatoes for the restaurant’s supplier.

They told us farm workers in Immokalee, Fla. have not had a raise in 30 years and that to make enough to equal the $7.50 minimum wage in the area, the workers would have to pick and haul 5,800 pounds of tomatoes – more than two tons.

The protestors argued that these workers have been denied labor rights and that the leaders of the Chipotle restaurant chain have not agreed to raise the wages by one cent, despite what they have told the media.

The students asked that we not eat at Chipotle to help prevent these alleged abuses.

Well, what could we do?

We thanked them for the information, walked to another restaurant to get food and came back to our offices to start working on the story on page 2 that explains the students’ efforts.

Our point here is not primarily whether the allegations about Chipotle are true or false. This is proof of an even bigger level of cause and effect: students spoke out and people listened.

Whether it’s migrant workers’ rights, budget cuts or environmental protection, the voices in this community are loud – and they’re only getting louder.

Backed by the prestige of the Brookings Institution and the Lincy Institute, ideas about the future of our communities are finding a strong foundation at UNLV. And the success of the Invent the Future Campaign points to the rising tide of ambition, determination and creativity that is taking UNLV upward, toward the fellowship of this country’s finest higher education institutions.

And this university provides opportunities for those still looking for meaningful endeavors, too. Here, every cause can have an advocate and every advocate can find a cause – it’s a testament to the diversity of character and creed that makes the UNLV student body unique, and a standout institution in the American Southwest.

EDITORIAL: Cast your vote

We can’t imagine why you wouldn’t want a say in how your student government does things, how they use your money and how your voice is carried to university officials. So this editorial is pretty short.

We know that, no matter what the receding ranks of naysayers think, UNLV students care about what goes on at their school and want to take part in making it better.

We are confident that the Rebels on this campus have what it takes to take action and make their opinions heard.

So we have no reason to doubt that when the polls close tonight and the numbers are tallied in the CSUN Senate elections, the record will show that you all got out and placed your votes.

Actually, you don’t have to get out at all. You can vote online from your bedroom or in the car via your phone. Just click on the “Vote in UNLV Elections” button on the registration Web site.

The Senate is made up of representatives of each college at UNLV. These people will be your liaisons to the CSUN executive board and directors. They will be your advocates in state and local issues. They will manage your money. They will plan your campus events. They will work tirelessly to make UNLV the best it can be for you and for generations to come.

If you pick the right people.

We hardly need to remind you that now is a critical moment in the history of UNLV. With accreditation review looming and the financial cruch still tugging at the fraying edges of our overstretched budgets, we need the best people in the seats of our Senate – people with drive, ambition and dreams that are just out of the reach of what we think we can achieve.

Before you cast your vote, do your research. Pick up The Rebel Yell’s election guide in Monday’s issue, search for the groups for your college’s candidates on Facebook and find out all you can.

The whole of the student body needs the strength of your educated vote.

EDITORIAL: UNLV is strongest when academia,
student culture unite

When critics cite UNLV’s student involvement as under-par, a link to academic prestige is never far from their minds. Too often the unique culture of student life at this university is degraded by being associated with what some wrongly perceive as substandard showing in the academic community – and vice versa.

The truth is, UNLV has a lot to show for its academic efforts. And some of those who recognize the important link between student life and the academic image are working to develop foundations for strong communities based on learning intellectual discourse.

Wednesday’s English department mixer was a perfect example of how campus leaders are working to make connections between UNLV’s academic strengths and its social and cultural traditions.

The UNLV English Department is nationally recognized – the proud host of the prestigious Black Mountain Institute and home to a world class innovative creative writing graduate program.

But not even all English majors know that… so the deprtment decided to do something about it.

In an effort to bring students out from behind their stacks of literary fiction and into the world that their study has created, the English department hosted a social gathering focused on letting English majors meet distinguished professors and each other and to learn from a few alumni success stories.

Not only was the event a huge success in terms of numbers, with dozens of undergraduate English majors and graduate students appearing throughout the afternoon to mix, mingle and learn, it made an important step toward building the public community of mutual learning and benefit that UNLV and the department strive for.

The department has more community-building ideas in the works, as do many other campus entities.
Learning Communities facilitated through the Academic Success Center aim for similar ends, bringing students with similar interests together to focus on their fields and build social and professional connections.

And professional organizations like the American Medical Students Association have begun working harder than ever to reach out to members of that academic community, with campus events like Oct. 26’s fundraiser to benefit victims of natural disasters.

The more students gather together around common academic interests and intellectual goals, the stronger the image of UNLV will become as a school where the valuable ties between academia and student life are strong.
Where members of the UNLV community see scholarly work as socially engaging and social pursuits as critical to a healthy academic environment, our university will grow to shine in both areas, as a symbol of the critical relationship between both ends of the spectrum of achievement.

EDITORIAL: Let activism reign, pins and political posters or not

It’s October 2008 and with little time left until Election Day, the hotly competitive campaign season is at a fever pitch.
Take a moment to recall the visitors to our campus: politicians, celebrities and family of the frontrunner presidential candidates – gracing UNLV with an air of political significance and “rallying the troops,” as it were.

Slogans – you remember all of them: “Hope,” “Country First,” “Ron Paul Revolution,” “Liberty for America” and the rest – are splattered throughout the campus, on pins, on posters, on stickers, on the backs of laptops or the fronts of t-shirts.

Some students tackle the none-too-simple task of voter registration throughout campus, while others man tables, tents or booths to promote their political party’s cause, or perhaps promote their stance on a particularly close-to-heart issue… and let’s not forget the entertaining and informative happenings put together by students or outside political organizations at Pida Plaza or the North Field.

Now it’s October 2009 and things are much quieter on the political front. Clearly, 2009 isn’t a year of several major elections on the local and national levels, in addition to the presidential election, but that doesn’t mean the lessons of last year’s activism should be forgotten.

After all, the voices of young voters and student voters gained newfound significance last year, largely due to the efforts of individuals like those at UNLV – these voices must continue to be heard, even when the fanfare and hype of the election campaign has long ago died down.

There are still matters to take a role in.

The debate surrounding health care reform, the handling of the H1N1 emergency and the war in Afghanistan top the national headlines almost daily. Topics like the federal government’s handling of the economy, immigration and clean energy reform are not far from those top stories and are just as relevant – and you, via your elected officials, have a say in the matter.

The ever-present College Republicans and Young Democrats on campus, who largely contributed to the political atmosphere in 2008, carry on the dialogue this year, as well.

Meanwhile, student groups like the Sierra Student Coalition, which helped draw a crowd to a climate control rally at the Las Vegas City Hall last week, or the United Coalition for Im/migrant Rights, who are hosting an on-campus conference throughout next weekend, carry on, or likely even surpass, the spirit of campus activism that was seen last year.

And it’s not just the larger student groups that are getting their voices heard. Our own Opinion section gets twice as many views as any other section on our Web site – and absolutely dwarfs the others in terms of comment count. If this activity reflects the political awareness and activism of this campus, we must be honest: we like it.

There aren’t many posters and pins this year and there aren’t suspiciously unfamiliar “UNLV students” on campus promoting the candidate they work for, but it would be unfair to say that the spirit of the 2008 elections has died completely.

And if you aren’t in it already, you should certainly join in.

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