This new Vent feature, Point-Counterpoint, offers two people (or more) the chance to debate an issue. This week, RU freshman and new staff writer Jesse McBride has allowed Whim to print his e-mail sent to numerous administrators and also SGA President Jason Grogg, regarding the general obligation bond passed on Tuesday, Nov. 5, by voters in the state. Grogg replied to McBride's article and that e-mail is here as well.

Also keep in mind that Whim does not necessarily favor either side presented here.

Hi, My name is Jesse McBride. I am a freshman here at RU. I am sure that this will be read by a secretary, ignored, and deleted. So why am I wasting my time? I guess because I care. I feel we need to deal with our present problems here at Radford.

How about we use some of that $27 million so our tuition doesn't increase? But, I also understand that this is all about politics. I mean what isn't about politics these days? I realize that these new "facets" will help the "student life" (sarcasm intended). It will bring more interest to our school, perhaps "better" students, replacing the current "party animals," raising our ratings, in turn making you guys look good. I also understand that more community activities and non-school related activities will also increase. This will in turn cause the students to get messed over, but hey, it will pad the school's pockets right? I quote Jason D. Grogg, president of the Student Government Association, "As you can see, this Referendum is extremely important to RU as a whole and to the future generations of Highlanders." No, Jason, I don't see. What I do see is that this will be better for you, all the bigwigs of the college, and RU's bank account. So no, Jason, I don't see it your way. Perhaps you might know that if you talked to your "fellow RU students" a little more often and listened to our comments.

I am also on the lacrosse team here at good ol' RU. I will never understand why or how intramural sports get field preference over a club team. After all, we were a varsity team until budget cuts (and perhaps Title IX) snipped us out. How about using some of that $27 million towards athletics? Oh that's right, you do. You just built a new stadium and track. But, we still have to play on the old practice fields. And excuse me for doubting your intentions, but I'm positive the new track and stadium will boost our ratings, and in turn help you out. It's simply not right, but who cares, right? I also do not understand why some banquet causes Muse dining hall to close early (might I add on Highlander Festival weekend, a time when many students' parents come) causing the students, students who are paying over $8,000 a year to attend this university, to get messed over. Oh wait, yes I do understand. You can charge us the same, and make more money by messing us over and charging the banquet guests at the same time. Two for the price of one; very clever.

So, pardon me if I am not leaping for joy over this wonderful referendum. As you can tell, I have trouble expressing myself. I understand whoever is reading this is not the right person to complain to, and I am sorry about that. Maybe you would pass this along to the "right" person. But no matter who I send this to, it will get thrown away and I will be added to the list of students who complain and are constantly told, "Nobody cares, quit whining." I just wish that we, the students, had more say and were given a little more respect.

Cordially,
Jesse McBride

And now, SGA President Jason Grogg's reply:

Jesse, I honestly know what your intentions are with this email and how you are trying to explain your frustrations with the University. However, I would like to inform you on a few discrepancies in your e-mail to the various parties that you wrote to.

First off, the General Obligation Bond Referendum is a legislative matter that was proposed by the General Assembly of Virginia last year and will be brought to the voters next week. The G.O.P. is specifically obligated to capital improvement projects towards higher education around the Commonwealth of Virginia and RU. What this means is that we can't just up and spend the money from this referendum for academic courses or professors. The money from this Referendum is obligated towards renovations of Davis, Young, and Russell Halls while also building a new Fine Arts facility. Legally it can not be used for anything else because it has been obligated towards capital improvement projects. I would also like to add that this money comes from tax-free bonds that are paid for by Virginians, businesses in Virginia, and parties outside the Commonwealth.

I've spoken with hundreds of my fellow students about this referendum and its importance to the University over the last few months, trying to clarify the differences among the budgets that are being impacted by the cuts. It's truly an ongoing process to educate the students on the various budgets and laws that are in place that don't allow the university to just transfer funds. However, when it comes to the referendum, the money would only benefit the University and wouldn't be pulled by the state after it has already been allocated.

I have the unique experience of seeing both sides of the picture when it comes to the budget cuts and the referendum. I honestly believe its impact will be tremendous on this University in the long run with programming and academics. The student body will benefit in several areas with this referendum, including concerts at the university, quality classrooms, and improved technology. Sometimes students forget that I'm also a student and feel the same constraints on my education that you might feel as well. I didn't just magically appoint myself to this position; I've been educated for over two years now about how this University works and how the student body operates. However, if I felt I didn't adequately represent the student body on issues such as this, I would step down immediately.

Along the lines of athletics, the Men's Lacrosse team was cut due to the Title IX statue that kept RU from having sports programs that weren't in proportionality to the student body. This is something that is hitting most universities across the nation and is affecting sports programs everywhere.

As for any of your other concerns about the university, I encourage you to come to the Student Government Association's meetings on Mondays at 5 p.m. in Lounge C of Heth Hall. At these meetings you can voice your opinion about the university and the SGA will do all in its power to stand behind its students.

I hope this clarifies any questions or dissatisfactions you had. Please email me with any other questions you might have.

Cordially,
Jason D. Grogg