Kacey Harasimowicz, student
I am at loss. I was sort of excited to pick up The Racquet's last issue for February 9th. I don't normally keep up with the newspaper, but I was so horribly depressed in anticipation of Valentine's Day that I thought maybe I could do something out of the ordinary to liven things up.
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Bethany Schur, student
I encourage students at UW-L to volunteer at the Kane Street Community gardens this summer. The gardens are a nonprofit organization, dedicated to growing local vegetables and fruits to share with the members of the La Crosse Community, especially those who can't afford their own fresh produce.
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Amy Callaghan Alumnus, Class of 2009
Is an unstable economy and scarce job availability waiting to greet you as you cross the commencement stage at your college this spring? The economic climate was the same for me when I graduated from UW-L in 2009. I wish I knew of a way to set myself apart in the sea of resumes that I would be competing with for jobs then.
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Alex Parker, student
It seems as though you've traded in respect for popularity. Yes, you've had a huge boost in readership, but at what cost? The respect many of us once held for The Racquet has diminished as you attempt to lure in more readers. No one reads The Racquet for the substantial articles anymore, only for the controversy.
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Joe Reuss, student
Our campus has been on a "green" kick, lately. Over the past semester and a half, Eagle and Centennial, two buildings billed as being "eco-friendly" have been opened for use, and a few programs have been started, like the composting buckets at Whitney.
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Marilyn Zable, student
The Lorax speaks for the trees for the trees have no tongues. If he was a student here, he would applaud the efforts in Centennial, future construction plans, and RecycleMania; but MLA standards, for submitting papers, would have him hollering. We are forced to print on one side of each sheet, double-space our lines, and surrender them to the professors that mandate this format because it is easy to read or convenient.
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Chelsea Fischer, student
Like all the students at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, I am educated about the green movement, sustainability, and UW-L's efforts to participate in these activities. The University is doing so much to inform us about environmentally friendly ideas: a campus wide reading program of Colin Beavan's No Impact Man; a book discussion with Colin Beavan to talk about no environmental impact living; a lecture with Eric Schlosser about the harm we are causing our beloved planet and the animals we share it with; participation in recycle mania; the EcoEagle to inform students about new green projects, recycling all types of plastic, glass, and paper; compost bins in Whitney; and the new environmentally friendly buildings on campus.
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Brittany Maule, student
The theme for our UW-L campus this year is sustainability, and as a campus we have made great strides to make this university more eco-friendly. For example, the two new buildings on campus this year (Eagle and Centennial) are currently being reviewed for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for their green accomplishments and benefits to the environment.
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Sadee Eastlick, student
I take great pride in attending a college that is striving toward sustainability. UW-L's eco-friendly attitude is awesome; however, we still have unnecessary waste that can be eliminated. This waste comes in the form of paper bags that hold our meals when we're on the go.
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Nicole Becker, student
I was disappointed in Viewpoint Editor, Caleb Brown, and his lack of insight as to the complexity of the recalls that have been happening statewide, especially the effort to recall Scott walker and Rebecca Kleefisch. So many issues have warranted the recall of Governor Walker and Lt.
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Taylor Goodine, student
In the past, when The Racquet has used women as a topic for discussion in their articles, I have been angered by the stereotypes of women they've often exploited. Until now, I kept my mouth shut. After all, articles that are perhaps meant to be humorous, however poorly written or misguided, should be treated with some leniency.
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Kahlynn Hunt, student
The new series of articles published in The Racquet by the anonymously authored "Elite College Girls" has drawn attention to the harmful gender stereotyping that occurs in college. As a young woman who believes in strong feminist morals, I am concerned about what these articles are "saying" to both my male and female peers here at UW-L.
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Nick Bezier, student
I read the Racquet infrequently, but when I do, I'm always taken aback by the number of spelling and grammatical errors throughout the selected pieces. I'm not going to delve into specific examples, as it's usually as simple as taking a look at the most recent paper.
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Lilah Myhre, student
This is the kind of letter that I assume you have been expecting. Perhaps you have received several of these kinds of letters and simply not printed them. I am writing, as a concerned student, to call attention to the obvious biases in The Racquet. Specifically, I would like to call attention to the conservative bias that is present in the "Viewpoint" Section.
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Julie Krueger, student
I would like to address Mr. Caleb Brown, who was published in the Viewpoint section of The Racquet earlier this month with an article entitled "We can do better than this." Mr. Brown took issue with those of us who were involved in the Michelle Obama conference call in January.
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Donleigh Guanky, student at Western Technical College
It is 2012, and we find ourselves, once again, in the rigors of another contentious election season. Though for those of us in Wisconsin, if feels as though the election cycle of 2010 never really stopped. Since that mid-term election, our state has been inundated with robo-calls, TV and internet adds, all looking at the recall elections of 2011.
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Mindi Sue, Smith Publicity, INC.
An opinion piece by author and East Fishkill Town Supervisor J. Lyndon Hickman There I go again, I can't believe that I did it; I turned on the news. Man, I never used to mind the news; but, lately it gets me so bummed out. I love to read and write fiction.
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Gustav D Fimple, student
I'm a student here at UW-L, and I would like to take issue with a letter you printed in the November, 10 issue of The Racquet. Specifically, the "Open Forum" letter from James P. Grenisen of Citizens for Responsible Government (CRG). By publishing the letter from Mr.
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Laura Meinhardt, student
My purpose in writing to you is to persuade the La Crosse area to help lessen the effects of natural disaster damage by supporting the work of American Red Cross. I started becoming interested in helping those affected by natural disaster when I was a freshman in high school and I went to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
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Samantha Broughten, student
I am not writing in response to a specific article, but rather because I believe something should be brought to the attention of the UW-L community. A wonderful time of the year is coming up, and for many families, it is unfortunately a stressful time as well.
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James P Grenisen, Vice President CRG in La Crosse County
Citizens for Responsible Government (CRG) is the local organization of the statewide group by the same name. The goal of CRG is to promote solid fiscal policies, oppose government waste and political corruption throughout Wisconsin. CRG has been keeping track of the cost of K-12 public schools, along with student progress in various subjects.
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Anthony Allen, student
I wish to raise awareness to the student population about the upcoming special election for the open 95th Assembly District seat, which will take place on November 8. I realize that the La Crosse area has been through its fair share of elections recently, but this one holds no less importance.
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Adia Brooks, student
Last year a member of the UW-L Community wore black face as a Halloween costume. Black students as well as students of other races were shocked, offended, and disgusted by this behavior. I would like to communicate just why this act was offensive and ask the UW-L community to participate thoughtfully in their celebration of Halloween this year.
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Kayla Lenz, student
I really enjoy seeing UW-L being recognized for being such a great institution. I am starting my fourth year here and UW-L and there is so much I love about this school. Not only are all the people I have met here great, but the classes are interesting and exciting, we are surrounded by the beautiful bluffs and river, and there is always something exciting going on.
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Alyssa Swatek, student
I am troubled by Benson Management and the lack of responsibility they demonstrate to their tenants. I urge those looking for new apartments or houses within the La Crosse area for the 2012 school year to avoid signing a lease with this organization.
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Emily Christens, student
At UW-La Crosse there are a few efforts in effect to be environmentally friendly. Students at UW-L can reduce their waste while also reusing plastic bags into trendy items in a simple, fun, and innovative way. Environmentalism has become a popular topic and students are looking for a new and easy way to do their part.
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Mackenzie Hautala, student
In response to the water issues, I wanted to add some thoughts on the newly built Eagle Hall. As Dr. Nick stated that there will be small issues when opening up such a large facility; however, the overall opening of the building went very well. I am a student worker at the Office of Residence Life, and I love working in the new area! For our department, it is a lot more convenient for our staff.
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Emily Aplin, student
Whether students rocked their "Everyday I'm Stumblin" t-shirts or their "Going Down like the Economy" slogans; Oktoberfest 2011 was a blast for many college students. The wonderful town of La Crosse and its special festivities were represented within one of the most popular annual gatherings in the La Crosse community.
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Katie Schmitt, student
The fact that a majority of your latest issue was dedicated to Oktoberfest made me a little sick. Call me a Scrooge, but I hate Oktoberfest. While I did enjoy reading Caleb Brown's opinion on the matter, I think your issue could have used more anti-Oktoberfest articles to even it out.
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Brianna Marshall, Student
In last week's issue, Nik Nelson, "Publisher Emeritus," scolded those on campus who have likened the Racquet to a mouthpiece of the College Republicans ("RE: We are more than just an opinions page," March 31, 2011) or decry its journalistic choices in expressing opinions in the opinions section.
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Marisa Montelibano, Student
I found the article, "RE: We are more than just an opinions page" to be offensive on more than one level. It read more like an attack on just about everyone not aligned with the author's point of view rather than someone respectfully stating his or her opinion.
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Brittney Bolstad, Student
We live in a world where everything has to be shiny and new. We don't stare in awe at the beater car plunking its way down the street, but we will stare and point out to our friend that gleaming Audi that just streamlined passed our car. The same can be said about anything in this world.
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Neil Ferris, Student
I hope the Racquet realizes the condescending and self-absorbed tone of the piece entitled "We are more than just an opinions page." Referring to your work as "our fine publication" is, in my opinion, bad form. One thing I've learned from my music professors here at UW-L is that you don't announce your next piece to the audience as "a great tune.
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Nik Nelson, Publisher Emeritus
In last week's issue the editorial board scolded those on campus who have likened The Racquet to a mouthpiece of the College Republicans ("We are more than just an opinions page," March 23, 2011) or decry its journalistic integrity for expressing opinions in the opinions section.
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Haley Erickson, Student
As state wide smoking bans become increasingly popular it seems as though people are becoming fed up with this growing addiction. However, it has been brought to my attention that UW-La Crosse is attempting to pass a campus wide smoking ban. As an involved student I appreciate that the university is taking the time to hear our feedback through surveys and forums.
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Evan Glasgow, Student
The UW-La Crosse community is considering several smoking policy changes, including making UW-L smoke-free, designating smoking zones, or increasing the twenty-five-foot smoking distance from buildings. Before retooling the policy, however, let us consider the following consequences.
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Sydney Lomnes, Student
I'm responding to Katie Lezendorf's recent commentary, in February 17th issue, concerning recycling and its impact on global warming. I can offer another solution to this recycling dilemma. Bacteria can be used to manufacture plastic. This is not a totally new idea, but is not known to many people that this is, in fact, possible.
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Barry O., Washington, D.C.
Look, I think it's important that American's express their viewpoints, but Mr. Gietman gets it wrong in "Gun Laws: Who are they really protecting (The Racquet, Feb 23, 2011). His first point, a promise that those who want to commit violent crimes with or without a gun permit, requires examination.
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Andy Matz, student
What is the most upsetting issue revolving around this 144 page "Budget Repair Bill?" It is that so many people are surprised that a politician is actually doing what he said he would do. Scott Walker campaigned on changing the way our state government does business including taking on the state employee unions.
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Tom Pribek, faculty
1.In Governor Walker's first three months in office, his party passed tax cuts exceeding $160 million, even more than the amount of money The Racquet cites for of current yearly deficit ($136.7 million). Then he called the state broke - after he broke it.
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Keith O., NYC
At no point does Mr. Gietman coherently address the feelings of Wisconsin public employees in his February 16 article, "Labor Unions: Their Own Worst Enemy." Though private sector employees' contributions to benefit packages dwarf those of their public sector counterparts, consider for a moment the unquantifiable cost of emotional duress for having to work for a Republican governor.
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Lily Van Driessche, student
Sunday February 6th, broke television records in America. Over 111 million viewers tuned into Super Bowl XLV. If you were anywhere in Wisconsin on Sunday, you were most likely one of those viewers. Society places an incredible emphasis on sports and also generates mass amounts of money from them.
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Felicia Geray, student
Have you ever wondered where the post-consumer compost bins from Whitney disappeared to? For those unaware, last year UW-L decided to expand the composting program by gathering food waste that students had after eating at Whitney. This food then went to a composting site where it eventually turned into fertilizer.
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Katie Lezendorf, student
There has been a lot of talk regarding the issue of global warming. Although we have addressed the matter, it seems no one has offered solutions. Because it is such a large topic, we, as individuals, seem to think our contributions make little difference.
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John Crabtree, Center for Rural Affairs
The steady growth of organic farming in Wisconsin and the economic impacts of organics on rural communities cannot and should not be ignored. The USDA recently reiterated their commitment to organic production by announcing another $50 million in funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative, which provides a 75% share of the cost of implementing organic conservation measures to those who qualify - 90% for beginning, limited-resource and socially-disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
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