Saturday, January 9, 2010

Op Ed Ideas - Matthew Green

Argument: Students should be able to take their backpacks into the Cannon Center.
Reason: Allows for students to do school work and eat at the same time.
Assumption: Student grades will improve, if given more time on school work.
Claims: - Backpacks aren't allowed to be left in the hall, even when cubicles are all full.
- BYU shows that they can't trust the very students who they expect to follow the Honor Code by forcing them to leave their stuff outside, in fear of food being taken.
- It would give students more time to devote to other activities.


Argument: The Honor Code should not be enforced, rather there as guidelines to the way BYU would like you to live.
Reason: It would allow for students to follow it because they want to, not out of fear of it.
Assumption:
More students will live the Honor Code equaling less problems.
Claims:
- Students are more likely to follow things that are not forced upon them.
- Majority of students who attend BYU already agree with many parts of the Honor Code, making it unnecessary to enforce.
- Students from different cultures will be more attracted to attend BYU, creating more missionary opportunities.


Argument:
Students should be allowed into sporting events for free, not through purchase of an all sports pass.
Reason: Students have a limited amount of discretionary income.
Assumption: More students will be more supporting of sporting events creating a bigger fan base.
Claims: - All athletes are put on a guest list, allowing them to get into any sporting event for free. Why don't regular students have that privilege?
- Students would be more willing to go to events because they can get in free.
- Students will be more willing to get involved in school activities in general.

7 comments:

  1. #1 is most likely your best option in my opinion. I like how you said that not allowing backpacks is a distrust to the students and not just saying something like "it's stupid." Your assumption of improved school work seems a little bit far fetched, but I regretebally don't have anything better.

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  2. I want to offer a possible opposing viewpoint on the honor code argument. First, I agree that the honor code really shouldnt have to be enforced. We ought to govern ourselves and choose to follow it freely. However, to not enforce it would say to the students that it really isnt that important. The majority would likely follow it anyway, buts its good to have it because it helps to maintain the good, clean image BYU should portray. I definitely understand what you're saying, and think all your points are valid. It'd be an interesting paper if that's what you choose to write.

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  3. Your third argument isn't such a good idea. Creating a larger fan base that doesn't pay for events would cost the university more money and they would lose seating for those that are willing to pay. I think you should choose one of your other options.

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  4. Your second argument I agree with. I believe we should all follow appropriate guidelines, but some are absolutely ridiculous. Like the testing center to turn someone down because they have a little bit of facial hair.... Its kinda ridiculous. I mean is facial hair really going to hurt the the University that bad? I mean I know the men are supposed to look clean cut but if someone has facial hair, does that make him a terrible person? No I don't think! Of course we need some obvious rules on the honor code that we need to strictly follow but some of the rules are ridiculous!

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  5. Your third argument is a good argument for us as students, but for the University, college sports are a business. The University makes a ton of money off sports and if they started to let all the students in for free then a huge part of the income disappears. Also, student athletes get in for free because they contribute to help the University raise that money, the same reason that the school gives them a scholarship.

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  6. I thought that all of your arguments were very interesting but the one i want to comment on is the third. I agree that sports should be accessible to all students but i just don't think that free would work. The university doesn't need help filling up the student sections at their big mainstream sports. If you've ever wanted to get good student section seats at the basketball games you'll know what i mean you have to show up hours early. But I'm sure you could make a similar argument for the tickets for sure.

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  7. Matt,

    Look at my comments on other posts for you second argument. We covered the first topic in class. As far as your third argument goes, you need to consider the financial implications for the school and the athletes. Making sporting events free could mean the end of college scholarships for athletes, it would mean cheaper athletic equipment and grounds, etc. These things would also affect regular students as well. I'm not saying the argument is out, I'm just saying you need to think about all sides.

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