Dear Editor,
Since the beginnings of the Ludacris concert controversy, I have noticed many students criticize their student fee increase, citing concerns that they are upset about a large chunk of their student fee money being used for a concert they had no interest in going to.
My answer to those students would be, “How many campus events do you actually take advantage of?”
Right now, while the masses complain about their money going to a Ludacris concert, a lot of really cool events happening on campus are poorly attended.
Any person that has trouble remembering the last time they attended an eye-opening lecture from a visiting artist, scientist, Basler chair, etc. should not be complaining about a rap concert.
Perhaps if more students were involved in the decision making, more things – even better things – would get done.
Apathy is for losers. And as we all know, the whole sitting around and complaining bit gets nothing done.
Some may feel that there is nothing to do in this town, but students should feel privileged to be a part of a university community, which in many ways acts as the heartbeat of Johnson City, and provides them with lots of free films and events to access.
A large majority of events exist in the first place because of the hard work of a select few students, faculty and staff, oftentimes combined with funding derived from student fees.
I cannot stress this enough, campus events are a gift to you from those who plan, organize and execute them. It’s about damn time some people started opening up their presents.
Ericka Basile

Author