What does success mean to the Millennial Generation?

Sara Wilson writes about the trials and successes of the Millennial Generation, concluding that success "can be guaranteed to the class of 2007 just because they are part of a certain generation" ("Millennial Generation shoots past the others," May 30).

Although the factual part of the piece is interesting (i.e. "Other defining characteristics of the Millennial Generation that Raines describes are a sense of hope and optimism, a strong sense of goals and achievements and the propensity to be civic-minded and service-oriented."), Wilson comes to the hasty conclusion that success can be guaranteed to a certain generation. Any piece should present all major sides of an issue, and based on this article, the Millennial Generation is fluffed with love and success, geared toward a perfect happy ending.

What does success mean to Wilson? Is the Millennial Generation going to be successful on Wall Street or in Washington, D.C.? At home with children or traveling the world? With enough income to live modestly or a bank account fit for an extravagant lifestyle? Wilson must know a lot about success — and the Millennial Generation — to come to such strong assumptions.

Next time, don't stretch the facts into a one-size-fits-all conclusion.

Marina Pai

Senior, accounting

GPSS defends achievements

The Graduate & Professional Student Senate (GPSS) is one of the most active groups on campus. We have directly helped student parents, returning veterans, TA's/RA's, and law students, while our work has indirectly affected all other students at UW. There are many reasons for legislators to listen to us, and in fact, they do. Furthermore, when we are teamed with other members of the Washington Student Lobby, one of our budget items, we can (and have) achieve major results.

Contrary to what Pete Sweeney implied in his May 15 letter, the GPSS takes a tiny percentage of the Services and Activities Fee budget.

The officers are paid a standard rate to be competitive with other TA or RA positions. Only one of our officers, the Treasurer, sits on SAF, while two other graduate students and many other undergraduates sit on the committee. The $0 for the MLK Jr. Day of Service is included in the budget as a historical note, since former GPSS officers were the ones that organized the first annual event.

The socials cost over $7,000, not $500. The reason very little of the charges actually come out of our budget is because student fees cannot be used to buy food or alcohol. Finally, the $200,000 surplus comes from the way SAF funds used to be allocated as a per student request instead of a flat fee. That money is often used for start-up costs for new positions or new projects, such as the Guide to Life.

Melissa Aar

GPSS Office Manager

Web comments

Girls with Oprah educations will go far

"Oprah's school misses the point," Brooke McKean, May 25, 2007.

I believe that Oprah's school can and will make a difference. Oprah has chosen to educate a few very bright girls who otherwise would likely not get an education — and certainly not a quality education. These girls have the ability, and now the opportunity, to become very powerful women in South Africa. Imagine what 500 very powerful South African women in the same generation can accomplish. I am looking forward to the success of her vision.

Barbara

Henderson's departure is disservice to students

"I support Mae Henderson"

Hunter Kincaid, May 29, 2007

As staff in the Women Studies Department, I heartily and thoroughly agree with Kincaid's assessment of Mae Henderson's skill and passion as a teacher. I've been impressed with the dedication all of our faculty have toward their students--some at the expense of their own research. But Mae Henderson cares more about teaching than just about anyone I've ever met. It is the University's loss that we haven't found the funding to hire her in a permanent, tenure-track position.

Virginia Lore

Article on Frat Row misleading

The May 31 article "Students and the Community: Off-campus Life North of 45th Street" was an irresponsible article that contained misleading facts. For example, the reference to the 2003 riot being pinned as a Greek community occurrence is a false accusation. Granted, this unfortunate incident occurred in our neighborhood, but the majority of the constituents of the riot were not members of the Greek community.

Secondly, the reference to the two shootings that took place recently is misleading. No affiliation to the Greek community can be claimed with these events because they took place at non-Greek house parties. The only recent publicly reported incidence of violence that has occurred at a fraternity function was a fight with no firearms that occurred this spring.

The Rebecca Griego shooting, an incident between a staff member and her former boyfriend, is also completely unrelated to the Greek community.

The information regarding the party protocol was also incorrect. The party registration process required by the university does not allow the police to enter and search without probable cause. It is the banquet permit issued by the Washington State Liquor Control Board that gives them the power to enter our facilities and inspect.

Moreover, at no point does Sigma Phi Epsilon "call the bartenders" to inform them of police presence, nor do we "loudly announce" their arrival. The system we have in place is to have sober members walk through the party and ensure that none of the partygoers themselves have provided alcohol to minors, which of course would fall upon us in a liability sense. The butcher paper does nothing to keep the police from direct access to the party. It is merely a means to provide a channel for guests who are unfamiliar with the layout of the house to navigate and helps us to regulate access from a more controllable point of our house.

Lastly, the student code of conduct is not only being backed by Eric Godfrey. The student body as represented by ASUW is in full support, as well as, the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic which have both passed votes on the issue.

Readers only got a behind the scenes of only one fraternity through an article that was riddled with false information.

One last bit of false information: Three Six Mafia did not compose "Ridin' Dirty": Chamilionaire is the artist.

Emory Dean

Sigma Phi Epsilon