Dear Editor:

This year there have been many good changes for our dining hall. The food seems to be presented better, and the addition of the nonbreakables was a good idea, as well. It is not a problem with the food, or the service, it is a problem with the customers … the students. I have noticed a lack of respect amongst students; people will push, cut lines off, or just leave trays on tables to avoid some lines. Students need to plan their time accordingly, knowing that waiting in lines will happen. Another ongoing issue is the hat policy. Hats are not allowed to be worn in buildings, especially the dining hall. For some reason, however,
it becomes a huge deal when people are asked to remove their hats. I even witnessed a cadet asking one of the civilian students to remove his hat, and instead of just taking it off, he threw a fit and blamed it on the corps. It is not the corps … it is the university policy, and if anyone can’t deal with it, then get out. We hold higher standards, because of that; it is part of what distinguishes Norwich from other colleges and universities. So, hats off to the dining hall for making some changes for the new school year.

Jeff Laurendeau

Dear Editor:

I’m writing in regards to the Regimental Ball. I know that as of now the Ball will be held in the Shapiro Field house due to the open house that weekend, but my fingers are still crossed that it will be changed back to Plumley Armory. We all work out in Shapiro and know that it’s not the best flooring to make a ball atmosphere. Another important factor in making a better ball would be improving the music. Year after year, the Regimental Ball has been more of a dance then a ball. I think that a
formal dance calls for not just a DJ, but a band of some sort to play ballroom, jazz or any music that would bring class to the occasion. I also think that the music selection should be varied and not just play the same club music throughout the night; if we wanted to go clubbing, we would drive down to Electra. The lines at the bars in the past have been long and unorganized and I think a bigger bar with more bartenders would definitely be beneficial. If we can combine the new ideas with what’s worked from the past, I think this will be the best ball yet.

B.J. Jones

Dear Editor:

School has been in session for nearly a month, now, and I see a few problems. The one that is bothering me the most is the amount of parking tickets the NU security guards have been issuing. I know that they are just doing their job, but I have already been given two tickets totaling $50. Like most people on this campus I am a college student, and I don’t have a lot of extra money to go giving away on a parking ticket to a school that I pay a large tuition to attend. I’m not asking the NU security guards to stop doing their jobs, but I think they should take under consideration that we are just students and we’re in school and most of us are on an extremely fixed budget.

Aaron Ward

Dear Editor:

I would like to take this moment to speak out about the interviews on the back page of every issue. I realize that quotes used by the some students are supposed to be humorous, but it seems like this humor has gotten out of hand. The jokes are sometimes very few readers understand, or they are vulgar comments. I just don’t feel that the approach taken on the back page justly gives the reader an idea of what the students at this school are doing.

Peter Langella

The presidential elections are only a few weeks away. At Norwich, students share the same concerns as those at other universities about this year’s election. And sometimes the pressures of school can push aside the time needed to become aware of those issues which matter most to us as Americans.

At times, the issues may be confusing; sometimes it may be unclear where the candidates stand on issues. It is incumbent on those in the Norwich community to be educated about the issues, to know both sides of the arguments, and then to vote their conscience on Nov.2.

Not only must students vote, but so must the staff and faculty.

But that process can’t happen unless every student, staff member and faculty member registers to vote. In some states, the deadline to vote may have passed.

But with nearly four weeks left, every member of the Norwich family who is eligible to vote must do everything possible to register and then do their patriotic duty by voting.

Whether at a nearby voting location or by absentee ballot, we must practice one of our most precious rights: the right to select who leads us for the next four years.

Welcome back to the University! We could not be more proud or pleased that so many upper classmen have returned to campus to continue their academic studies, and we have such a wonderful new class of Rooks and Freshmen attending. This year, we are starting out with 1,130 cadets, 430 residential civilian students, and 380+ commuter students. There are also over 600 graduate students studying online who are preparing to return to our campus next summer. This makes Norwich University the largest private university in Vermont, and one that is certainly on the move and growing. Achieving this distinction is wonderful for us academically; however, it has put some strain on student housing. I want to thank you for your patience and support while we deal with this issue. We are making arrangements now to lighten the housing load for next fall.

We received some wonderful gifts this summer which are providing resources to vault us forward in our quest for academic excellence. The first was the Chase gift of $5.6 million from the estate of Frank Chase, NU ’28. This Endowment gift will support our academic program enrichment funds. In addition, this donation will spin off $300,000 of new money that the Provost and Academic Division Heads can spend to improve the academic experience at Norwich. They have recommended, and I have approved, the use of $191,000 per year to support student overseas travel. The balance of the funds will be used to finance a scholar in residence program which will bring scholars to campus for every division to bring us new perspectives and to challenge us in new ways. The fund will also provide needed financial resources to Professor David Westerman as he leads our university in developing our undergraduate research programs. This money will provide support for faculty and students to study and conduct research together, and to stretch the boundaries of our present understandings and knowledge base. It will lead to publications authored jointly by faculty and students which will continue to demonstrate to the rest of higher education the quality of work done in the academic enterprise at Norwich University.

It is going to be an exciting and dynamic year at Norwich. One of great academic pursuit, athletic prowess, and a quality of student life experience focused on preparing you for the challenges ahead, molding you into the leaders of character that the nation needs. My sincere best wishes for a great academic year.