Letters to the Editor

I am an employee of the University of Minnesota and also a gay man. I certainly hope that John Glimmer’s March 4 letter, “The University should be ready for gay athletes,” is a misunderstanding of athletics director Norwood Teague’s interview on KFAN. I would hope that the boss of athletics for the University would articulate his support for equity and diversity in all areas of athletics. As President Eric Kaler has stated, equity and diversity is a pillar for the University. The Office of Equity and Diversity has many wonderful training opportunities.

Started in the early 1900s, International Women’s Day, March 8, is a celebration of strides made for women’s and girls’ human rights and a reminder of the challenges still ahead.

In the Hans Christian Andersen fable, an entire populace is duped by the king and his clothiers until a child cries out, “But he isn’t wearing anything at all!”

Freshmen, be wary of answering unknown knocks at your door. Napping patrons of Coffman Union, don’t get too deep into your REM cycles. And for anyone offering you a free T-shirt, know that accepting that T-shirt is nothing short of a blood oath.

Energy costs are rising in Minneapolis, which means we have to pay more for our electric and gas utilities. Currently, we pay Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy to import energy using fossil fuels, which works against Minneapolis’ goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, Minneapolis Energy Options is campaigning to keep our energy options open and is working to invest in a clean energy future.

University of Minnesota athletics director Norwood Teague was interviewed March 1 by Dan Barreiro on KFAN sports radio. The first question was about whether sports teams are “ready” for an openly gay athlete. Seemingly uncomfortable and unprepared, Teague said, “I don’t know.” He was allowed several subsequent opportunities to announce his support for an out athlete.

He said nothing.

I read the Feb. 27 letter to the editor, “Tobacco tax increase,” about the tobacco tax increase within Gov. Mark Dayton’s budget. The letter made a very inaccurate claim that increasing the price of tobacco does not encourage smokers to quit. Extensive research shows quite the opposite. Not only does increasing the price of these products lead to a decline in tobacco use, it’s proven to be one of the most effective ways to help people quit and to keep young people from starting.

In order to form a more perfect University of Minnesota, I have decided to create the “Free Lunch” Club. The “Free Lunch” Club is an all-inclusive student group. Due to our lack of fundraising skills, I will be seeking money from all of you paying your student services fees.

On Jan. 24, the Minnesota Daily published an article titled, “Profs to protest closing TCF student accounts.” This article detailed TCF Bank’s decision to close several Iranian students’ accounts, a decision which was described by a few professors as “textbook prejudice.”

I am writing this letter to the editor regarding a comment made by a representative from the Ayn Rand Study Group concerning the group’s Student Services Fees Committee recommendation of $0 for next year. The representative claimed that “groups that are conservative by nature ... are hit kind of hard,” and there is a change to “promote more liberal groups on campus.”