Until my degree is in hand, check to NU is not in mail

Having not even graduated yet, I was disturbed to receive a solicitation letter from the Office of Development already. The letter offered the “top 10 reasons” I, someone who doesn’t even have a degree yet, should give money to the university now. The reasons for donating, such as getting my name on a plaque at Norris University Center or keeping the Shakespeare Garden beautiful, left me unconvinced. I have my Top 10 Reasons Not to Give My Senior Class Gift:

10. The $300 I paid to park on campus — though it still left me looking for spaces.

9. The $8 I pay every time I want to print my thesis at the library.

8. The $6,400 I am paying for my thesis class that never meets.

7. I currently have no income.

6. The $18 a dinner in the dining hall cost me freshman year.

5. Even though I am not in Medill, the $12,000 my friends must pay to work three months for free.

4. The $150 my friends had to pay for losing their keys.

3. The $2.59 for a Microblast from Norris that had a meager amount of mix-ins at the bottom.

2. The $15 I must pay for a new WildCARD.

1. The $37,000 I have paid every year to come here.

I’m not saying I’ll never give money to Northwestern. However, it is premature to hound us for $20 while we or our parents are still pouring money into the university’s coffers.

Don’t worry. If this investment pays off, I know NU’s number.

Justin Ginsburgh

Weinberg senior

Successful year yields praise, thanks to A&O for programs

Last year A&O Productions had some problems, and students were unsatisfied. This year they have rebounded very well and have done an excellent job in bringing quality music to Northwestern. Three of the year’s best concerts were right here at Patten Gym. I won’t claim that I go to 100 concerts a year and have never seen a mosh pit before, but I have been to a substantial number of concerts.

This year A&O has provided NU students with music that is both diverse and respectable. Jurassic 5 is one of the best hip-hop groups out there. Ben Folds rocked my ass with just a piano. And just a couple of weeks ago, Zwan and Queens of the Stone Age, two of the best new bands to come out in years, played one of the top five shows I have ever seen.

Each of these concerts costs less than $10, but I would have willingly paid $25 to $30 at any venue in Chicago. A&O could book Good Charlotte and P.O.D. for Dillo Day — please don’t — and they still wouldn’t soil the excellent job they have done this year.

I was happy to read in The Daily that Associated Student Government gave A&O $10,000 more for next year, and I am excited about what the additional funds will allow them to do next year. Kudos A&O! Thank you for making my first year here more enjoyable.

Ben Poole

Weinberg freshman

Harassing e-mails no way for NU to redeem its image

Hey Northwestern gang,

This is in response to the outpouring of e-mail I received regarding my letter to the editor in The Daily last week.

I find it humorous that NU’s student body has nothing better to do than to e-mail a high school senior to discredit her. You harass and insult me — “conceited, tight bitch who needs to get laid” is one such e-mail that comes to mind. Now, of course, you are all clever individuals because you can Google my name and find my Web site.

But look at yourselves. Have you contacted Disabato about his view of prospies? Probably not, because he is your equal. Since I’m still in high school and not joining your ranks at NU, you feel the need to drag me through the mud. This is your idea of fun, isn’t it, gang?

I respect NU as a university. But the 50 or so people I have come into contact with have made me disrespect the student body more and more.

The academics are stellar at NU, and I’d never argue that. However, if I may be so frank, you all need to get over yourselves and leave me the hell alone.

Adrienne Canzolino

York Community High School senior