Hand scanners are necessary safety measure

The hand scanners that were installed at the Netherlands complex during my freshman year were installed for a reason: to make sure that it is you, and only you, entering the complex. Everyone can agree that your hand is unique and is only used to grant you access. And the supposed multiple scans: yes, that is a problem that needs to be addressed. However, if a card swipe is installed and if only swiping lets you in, what prevents you from handing your card out the window to a friend so that he or she can enter? Not only am I not me entering unsupervised, this person, to my recollection, is also not on video. I am thankful that the measure to remove the hand-scanners from the back entrance of the Netherlands was barely defeated by the Student Government Association, but I am also alarmed that it was so close. I hope that Public Safety would have realized this flaw with the cards and corrected it.

For those of you who are afraid of giving your handprints, you are just ignorant. They are not scanning your handprint; they are taking a number of your dimensions. Do tailors know what you look like by your clothes? No. They have vague a idea but couldn’t pick you out of a lineup.

As for the “disgusting substances,” brought up by members of SGA it just shows the lack of respect for your fellow students. Grow up.

Kevin Harvell is a junior drama student.

SGA fails to show up for coat drive

I was taught at a young age that when I volunteer a service, I must wholeheartedly dedicate myself to the cause. So, when two small clubs decided to host a coat drive with Student Government Association, we hoped we could share the giving spirit. Unfortunately, the absence of the latter club left me feeling bitter.

To SGA: I am grateful for the monetary help you provided. It would have been difficult to host this event without the donation. However, of the 45 senators in SGA, only one actually donated a coat. I didn’t expect more than 15 people to come, but one person is rather upsetting. The support that you could have given would have outweighed the money you gave.

The University’s most powerful organization thinks that throwing money counts as help. Although there was no expectation for a great turnout, I assumed that SGA would have stepped up to their co-sponsored event. Leadership means more than a dispersal of funds or passive pseudo-endorsement. It’s putting action and meaning behind exchanged funds and words.

To the one senator who did donate, all the people who dedicated their time with us and the students who donated coats and money, I am entirely grateful. Despite apathy from the benefactors, the event was successful and worthwhile.

Julia Matias is a junior psychology and speech communication student.