Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Sept. 10, 2010, edition 1 / Page 11
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FORUM The pros and cons of the new add/drop policy 11 September 10,2010 By Izak Shapiro Staff Writer Guilford shortened the add/drop policy from two weeks and one day to one week and one day. The admin istration does not benefit from this change — only the students do. This change in policy begs an obvious question: do the students actually benefit? Pretend it's last year. It's the third week of classes. Slightly disorganized student X dropped the course he found boring and added a different course, but he feels lost and behind compared to the other students, and since he's slightly disorganized that feeling may last him the entire semester. Guilford changed the policy to avoid situations such as the one above. Last year, I was student X and a profes sor's worst nightmare. Professors and their students need those first two weeks of class together to build the foun dation for the entire semester; the new policy ensures the establishment of those foundations. However, pretend it's this year during the second week of school. Slightly disorganized student X looks out the window of his classroom as he realizes that he should have dropped the class, but it's too late to add a different course due to the new add/drop policy, and he needs the credits. Fortunately for me, I do not feel this way in any of my classes, nor do I need the credits. But some of you do need the credits in order to stay on campus, or to fulfill a requirement. You can still drop the class, but you cannot add another one. Right about now you feel constrained by the system ... and for the rest of the semester. While I don't have any of the above constraints I do have a W on my transcript from last year. If I dropped a class during the second week this year, I would receive another W simply because it took me a whole three classes to grow irritated with a professor's lack of orga nization. My future employers would not review my transcript and read, "Made smart decision and dropped poorly organized class." They would see multiple W's. They do not like multiple W's. Next year, Guilford should extend the drop period without a W to two weeks and a day, like the old policy. A student should not be punished for realizing that taking Spanish 250 means no social life in order to avoid failure. I do like that by the Monday of the second week, stu dents cannot add another course. Today marks the end of the third week of school. Imagine if today ended your first week of classes. You would be ready for the week end not because you worked hard and needed a break, but because you would need a break from feeling lost. New Orleans^ progress inadequate By Abbey Brinkey Staff Writer I am among those who believe that the current plans of rebuilding are not enough, and disagree with those who believe that adequate progress has been made in the span of time since Katrina hit. According to The Wall Street Journal, the new protective mea sures being built are only effective for defense against Category 3 hur ricanes. The National Oceanic and Five years ago. Hurricane Katrina Atmospheric Administration has whirled through numerous cities, but reported warmer temperatures of New Orleans was undeniably devas- the Atlantic Ocean, which will most tated. The city was wounded and the likely fuel more and stronger storms, hurricane cast a darkness over the Due to the chances of more and once lively city. stronger storms, shouldn't we be I remember the panic that ensued working to over-protect New Orleans, as Katrina began to approach New rather than take the chance of leaving Orleans. There was con stant speculation as to _ whether or not New Orleans could survive a Category 3 hurricane. Being below sea level put the city at a significant dis advantage. Ever since Katrina left her mark on the Crescent City, there have been many efforts to clean up, repair, and re strengthen the city. believe that more progress has been made in making the city a tourist and convention site, compared to the 65 percent that believe there has been "some" or "a lot" of progress on the repairs of the city. Almost half of that believed that something had been done about the crime control. New Orleans saw a spike in crime after the hurricane. Law enforcement was drawn thin in order to help search for survivors. Buildings were not only destroyed by the hurricane, but by the people that ran around the beat-up streets, stealing and defacing whatever they came across. Getting a better handle on the crime would be of great help in the re-building of the city. As people con tinue to run around — destroying prop erty, they are also dampening oth er's spirits. Seeing your belongings destroyed by nature is one thing, but when other people — are the destructive forces, you begin to it vulnerable again? lose hope. Jacquelyn Hood, a young woman Yes, there has been progress made. The Wall Street Journal provides who recently visited New Orleans, Yes, the protective measures are effec- informationthattheU.S. Army Corps does not believe enough has been tive. What we need to keep in mind, of Engineers are working on rebuild- done. however, is the extent of the progress ing a stronger, and hopefully more "There's a lot to fix, anything they made and the overall effectiveness of effective flood-protection network, would try to fix would be almost the defenses. The $15 billion project is facing some invisible," said Hood. "It was amaz- I believe that New Orleans is scrutiny. Is there enough being done ing how it went from city to over- still wounded and the shadows of to protect New Orleans from another grown used-to-be-neighborhood." the hurricane still loom. We should disaster? And has enough progress The Wall Street Journal reported be working harder to stitch those been made in five years? that 87 percent of people interviewed wounds and expel the shadows. Is there enough being done to protect New Orleans from another disaster? And has enough progress been made in five years? MIRSnNGTHEMIBME Historic neighborhood fights city council By Zack Pinsky Staff Writer Greensboro can be a confusing place to navigate for out-of- towners. Streets change names without warning and highway signs tell lies as to where they will let you off. "After five years of Greensboro driving I am still confused by 1-40 West," said senior Brendan Lynch. I do not think he is alone. Two streets that all Guilford students do know are Friendly Avenue and College Road. These are the crossroads on which Guilford College is located. College Road is highly commercialized, while Friendly Avenue is much more residential. If the typical college student reaches Holden Road taking West Friendly Avenue, it is usually en route to Cook-Out. This intersection has a very different meaning for Betty and Alan Atwell. They are residents of the Hamilton Lakes Neighborhood. It is composed of nearly 1,900 homes, bounded by Friendly Ave. to the north and Market St. to the south. "Its treed beauty and reputation as one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Greensboro was protected by a moratorium on any re-zoning within its borders for 50 years," said Betty Atwell, a 41-year resident of the neighborhood. "That protection expired in 2007." Together, the Atwells have organized a local effort to ensure the residential feel of their community. Their proximity to the Friendly Shopping Center creates issues with noise. And the expiration of the moratorium could result in the expansion of commercial properties. The combination of nature and civilization is one of Greensboro's selling points. One is able to take a hike in thickly forested areas, and then walk a half-mile to get local granola from the grocery store. "When considering my options after graduation, I had two alternatives. I could return to Maryland or stay in North Carolina, but really it came down to my love for nature," said Martin Brown '10. "You don't get that back home." The Atwell's fight is in defense of their serene neighborhood, but focuses upon the two lakes that it encompasses. Currently, the residents of the region pay dues to keep the lakes clean and beautiful, in order to ensure that they will remain pristine. There is fear that if businesses are allowed to breach the community, there could be damage to the lakes. It would not necessarily be the companies' doing, but increased traffic is never good for the environment. "We have formed an active neighborhood committee, the neighbors have attended meetings to keep informed, circulated flyers, developed a very large mass e-mail database for communication, and placed yard signs in the yards," Atwell said. The zoning hearing, which most neighbors are expected to attend, is scheduled for Sept. 13, at 5:30 in the city council chambers in the uptown Municipal Building. If keeping Greensboro beautiful is important to you, the Hamilton Lakes neighborhood would love any extra support you can give! Today's neighbors just want to see this community remain a place where their families can enjoy this neighborhood in the same fashion," said Atwell.
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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