X-Prolog:     University Computing Services/Student Data Systems
X-Prolog:     University of South Florida
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.words-l
Date:         Fri, 28 Aug 1992 12:44:55 GMT
Comments:     Converted from OfficeVision to RFC822 by PUMP V2.2X
From:         "Don Moore (813) 974-4078 S/C 574-4078"
 <DBFABAK%CFRVM.BITNET@uga.cc.uga.edu>
Subject:      One Student's Opinion

There has been a great deal of frustration this week among students waiting
in long lines.  However, they are not aware of efforts made by many to help
reduce lines and/or waiting time.  In today's Oracle, the editor, himself a
student who probably stood in lines himself, wrote the following editorial,
which I am quoting from a public paper, but without permission.  Expect he
will get some flak, but may do a lot of good:

  From University of South Florida Daily Newspaper, the Oracle:

              Big Problems, little problems

  "Frustration mounted as students stood in the slow-moving financial aid and
drop/add lines.  Some began to blame the delay on the cancellation of the
first day of classes because of Hurricane Andrew.
  Why cancel classes, some asked.  After all, the hurricane didn't even hit
Tampa.
   The only good thing that came out of it was that it has given students
an extra day to come up with tuition money, right?  Wrong.
   University officials should be commended for their decision to cancel
classes on Monday.  A hurricane is no laughing matter, the devastation in
south Florida is testimony to that.
   As a designated shelter, USF has an obligation to offer temporary refuge
to Tampa residents should a storm decide to pay us a visit.
   The double-bookings of last Monday's financial aid appointees with
Tuesday's, which resulted in a longer wait, seems minute compared to the
devastation Miami residents have had to endure.
   Three days after Hurricane Andrew hit south Florida, 180,000 people
were reported homeless.  Food is beginning to spoil and water has been tainted.
   Grow up, USF!  Quit complaining about standing in a few long lines; it's
part of the registration and loans process, so deal with it.  Think about the
folks in Miami who have to wait in line for far more important things - like
food, water, and gasoline.
   There are always lessons to be learned.  Although Andrew spared the Bay
area, he left in his wake a grim reminder that life is never simple and
that we all must prepare for misfortune.  In a campus setting, financial
aid lines qualify as misfortune.
   One would expect USF officials to be aware of the long queues and adjust
the deadlines to compensate for the inconvenience - and that's exactly
what they have done.
   The issue is clear.  Andrew wreaked havoc on Miami and could have done
the same in Tampa.  USF had no choice, its decision was the right one.
So complaining students are asked to make their own decision.  Shut up
and join the lines; after all, you're only begging for money.  No one's
twisting any arms."

Maybe a little tough, but something I feel needed saying!

Don, who had a small part in trying to help

                            Peace,
                                  Don
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