To the Editor:
As a senior here at Plymouth State, I feel I should do what I can do improve life at PSU as best I can, no matter how small those efforts or effects are. Therefore, I have two issues I wish to bring forth in this letter. Both are occurrences that I believe could negatively affect students and others on campus.
The first was the lack of a new edition of The Clock on October 12th. (Last Friday) Having spent two-and-a-half years involved with the newspaper, I fully understand and appreciate the stress, time, and lack of sleep required to put out a quality newspaper. I also understand the need for a week off. However, it was disappointing to see that, despite last weekend’s Homecoming and Family Weekend events, a new paper was not present. Furthermore, given the presence of Democratic Presidential candidates Joe Biden and Barack Obama and John Edwards’s wife Elizabeth-all who had events before the paper’s traditional editing night was over- last Friday would have been a great opportunity to show parents and other campus visitors a well-made newspaper with solid coverage of some major campus events.
Another controversial happening on campus is the “Porn and Pizza” event next week. Long story short, at least according to the event posters, there will be a showing and discussion about pornography’s effect on women, both positive and negative, and how it may reinforce certain images and expectations society has for the female sex. Regardless of the discussion involved, showing pornography on campus has no place on a college campus. Fortunately, I spoke to Professor Liz Ahl and AWARE member Mark Hecox, clips from at least two documentaries will be shown on both sides of the pro-and-anti pornography points of view. Afterwards, a potentially educational and enlightening conversation will be occurring. While I personally will not be attending this event for a variety of reasons, it is my sincere hope that it will be an educational opportunity for students, not just a time where young, immature males will make crude comments and feminists will claim that society is oppressing women through gender roles.
Thank you,Dustin Siggins