In response to “A new home for homecoming” by Joanna Nolasco, Oct. 26, 2009

I am extremely disappointed that there was no mention of the Homecoming queen or king in today’s paper. I was instead inundated with an article that aimed to explain a Homecoming rally being replaced by a HUB crawl due to budget cuts.

Last I recall, spreading the word to a couple thousand students to show up at 7 p.m. on a Friday in Red Square and getting the band to show up cost nothing! And unless coach Sark and the football team are getting paid to make an appearance in front of their loyal supporters in an effort to boost their morale before game day, well I think that would be free as well.

Believe me, I know there’s a little more to it than that. Like what about a microphone? Who pays for that? Oh wait, there’s a little invention called a bullhorn, and you can get one at ROSS for $10!

As an alumnus who was very active on this campus, I’d hate to call into question The Daily’s “fair and balanced” reporting once again, but here I am. At the beginning of the year I was impressed at the editor’s willful declaration to provide the campus with the stories that dig deep and are well thought out and developed. If that’s the case, this story should have been vetted out weeks ago, and the real and only traditional triumph of Homecoming should have been front page and center!

The traditional crowning of the Homecoming court happened Friday night at 9 p.m. Not only did they crown a new queen and king, in doing so Amanda Chambers became the UW’s second UW Homecoming queen of color that I can recall, going back as far as the early ‘90s. The story lies in the fact of despite hundreds of applications, a rigorous interview process and selection, she not only won, but received the highest score tabulated amongst the competitors.

The story lies in the fact that as the direct newspaper source of information for the University of Washington, you took an opportunity to highlight the positive and groundbreaking and instead shined light on what was already done and dealt with.

The story lies in that the UW Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity did its strongest push ever and pulled off a fantastically successful series of events and celebrations for UW alumni of color through its first annual The Weekend, and that was not mentioned as well.

Amanda Chambers is a stalwart example of what the University of Washington should epitomize as their outline of student success. A Costco Diversity Scholar, an active position-holding member of Zeta Phi beta Sorority Inc., National Mortar Board UW Tolo Chapter and Black Student Union to name a few. It pained me to see the look of disappointment as she glanced over the paper this morning only to see once again that we have to work twice as hard to get half the recognition.

As an alumnus, it’s moments like these that are reminders as to why there has to be an extra push to get alumni of color to be involved. Often times, the university as a whole can do a significantly better job in making our efforts feel appreciated and welcome.

So Daily, I ask you to take the nondescript photo and terrible article you ran on your front page that was your contribution to the “traditions of the UW” to heart. As your cover picture says, be real, and get honest.

Anthony T. Rose

Class of 2008

In response to “UW courses need E-textbook option” by Mike Noon, Oct. 26, 2009

I wholeheartedly agree that the UW should be a leader in revolutionizing the textbook industry. In fact, simply using “e-textbooks” doesn’t go far enough. While e-books are commonly sold at half the retail price, one option cuts the price entirely: open-source textbooks.

Open-source textbooks are written and reviewed by professors, then made available to the public via companies such as Flat World Knowledge. Instead of selling their book to publishing companies, more and more professors are beginning to sell their book to companies such as this one, because they realize publishing companies only mark up the prices for their students. Best of all, other professors can use these books and tailor them to their own class. These books are free to view online and roughly $30 for a hard copy.

WashPIRG, the Washington Public Interest Research Group, is already working hard to help these open-source textbooks gain traction in the market. A comprehensive database of all the currently available open-source texts was released this Wednesday, Oct. 28 as part of the nationwide Day of Action on Textbook Affordability. Additionally, student volunteers will reach more than 100 faculty members to inform them of this exciting alternative to traditional textbooks. With the hard work of students, open-source textbooks could soon be the industry standard.

Justin McCarthy

Sophomore, political science and

communications

Mike touches on a number of important issues within the course materials environment. Certain textbooks are expensive. In many cases, publisher-established prices and price-increase trends are not justifiable for a variety of reasons. Also, when a significant portion of a textbook or bundle of materials isn’t used, or publishers succeed in restricting buyback value, students get angry, and they should.

There is currently a lot of buzz surrounding digital books. Recognizing that digital delivery represented a potentially lower-cost distribution model for course materials, four years ago, the University Book Store began providing digital versions of the more expensive textbooks. This fall quarter, more than 120 digital versions of the most expensive and widely used textbooks were provided. Digital versions are priced at around 45 percent less than the price of the new hardcopy version. However, at this time, there are a number of drawbacks to “e-Textbooks.” A limited number of titles are available for UW courses, user experiences aren’t great and collective costs to students are still high. Also, with digital books provided by traditional publishers, there is no buyback potential, there are often restrictions on printing, and the content expires after a short period of time. This will certainly change as delivery models evolve.

The University Book Store’s clear focus is on providing UW students with the best-value proposition available based on individual needs and preferences by providing a variety of course materials choices to students and reducing the net cost of such materials. We continually strive to reduce the net cost of course materials for our UW students and want the course-materials value proposition to work in UW students’ favor across the board.

Value propositions vary by student; one student may believe that a textbook costing $100 is worth it based on the educational experience derived. A student often buys a new book and keeps it for reference. Another student may think that a $25 book is not worth it because most of it wasn’t used and/or it had no buyback value. Clearly, at the present time, the best-value proposition for the greatest number of students with respect to published material takes place with used books. When a previously used textbook is adopted again for a future quarter, students win in two ways: Books can be sold back to the Book Store for the highest price (55 percent of the current price of the new book) and used copies can be purchased (25 percent below the price of the new book). And, when the Book Store’s 10 percent UW Customer rebate is factored in, students essentially acquire textbooks at a net 12.5 cents on the dollar.

As stated above, a clear goal of the Book Store is to enhance the course materials value proposition for UW students. We do this by:

— Increasing the supply of used books

— Making textbook buyback more lucrative

— Delivering greater course-material savings and benefits, primarily through the UW Customer Rebate program and scholarships

— Providing more lower-cost digital versions of course materials

— Working with UW student groups and new companies, such as Flat World Knowledge, on facilitating open-source resources

— Working with publishers to provide lower-cost course materials

— Working with the UW to provide lower-cost course packs

And, beginning in January, we will provide lower-cost and more environmentally sensitive print-on-demand services through use of the Espresso Book Machine.

We will continue to provide UW students a variety of choices for receiving their course materials, which currently include new, used, digital, online ordering and reservations (charge and hold).

The University Book Store was started by UW students 110 years ago and has always been governed by UW students. All the Book Store’s earnings, from whatever source derived, that are not required to operate and invest in the store (we are 100 percent self-funded) are used to provide savings and benefits to the UW community, mostly students, in a variety of ways.

Bryan Pearce

CEO, University Book Store

In response to “Students carry concealed weapons in response to U-District crime” by Lexie Krell, Oct. 27, 2009

I am a student at the UW and a Concealed Pistol License holder in the state of Washington. I am not a vigilante or would-be hero. I do not go looking for trouble. If I thought I would need a firearm somewhere, I wouldn’t go there. Violence is my last resort, not my first choice.

I am no fan of Mr. Luong “fishing for robbers.” I think it is foolish, dangerous and a poor representation of the community of generally responsible, safe, unobtrusive, peaceful concealed carriers he has joined.

I am trained and will continue to train in the use of firearms as well as non-lethal means of defense. An integral part of any good training is learning how to avoid having to use such skills. I hope Mr. Luong and his cohorts get such training and exercise the avoidance part to the best of their abilities.

We are all responsible for our own individual safety. We all get the e-mails … how often do the police arrive in time to interrupt one of these muggings? This is not a criticism of the police. This is the nature of there being far fewer of them than of us. My point is only that the police cannot directly protect us from the bad guys most of the time, and so we must exercise skills of avoidance, mitigation and defense as necessary to provide for our own safety.

Check out Students for Concealed Carry on Campus; they’re on Facebook.

Stay safe out there.

Chris Brenan

Senior, computer science and

mathematics

In response to “Sonics fan for Nick Licata” by Zach Gussin, Oct. 27, 2009

My name is Michael Goff, and I am a student at the UW and a volunteer with the Jessie Israel for City Council campaign. I am writing to talk about my reasons for supporting Jessie and also to respond to Zachary Gussin’s piece in support of Jessie’s opponent, the 12-year incumbent Nick Licata.

I have supported Licata in the past. Nick Licata’s personal integrity and commitment to affordable housing and homelessness issues cannot be questioned. However, I switched my support to Jessie Israel because of several key issues of interest to us at the UW.

Transportation is the main issue that caused me to change my mind. Last summer, we finally got our light rail running, and in a few years it will run between the U-District and Sea-Tac. However, it took 40 years to get the first line completed — far too long. Nick Licata joined with a group called Sane Transit to sue to prevent the line from opening, contributing to the delay and gridlock that plagued the project. Jessie wants to move ahead with light rail expansion, the waterfront tunnel, sidewalk repair and the other projects that we need.

Another key issue is crime, particularly with the spike in crime we have had in the U-District. Jessie has a plan to put 200 new cops into the neighborhoods in the next year, which Seattle needs in order to put us in line with other large cities. By contrast, Licata favors a modest plan of 25 new cops that will prove inadequate. Jessie has the support of Seattle Police and Firefighters for her better record on public safety.

I met Jessie shortly after the primary, and I was impressed by her grasp of the wide range of issues that the city faces. She has a diverse set of endorsements, including The Seattle Times, Washington Conservation Voters, Cascade Bicycle Club, King County Young Democrats, the Alki Foundation, labor groups and many others. I believe that Jessie Israel is the only candidate in this race who has a big-picture view of the city’s needs. Nick Licata has been good on some issues, but he has fallen out of touch with some of the city’s most important needs.

Finally, Nick has been on the council for 12 years so far and is seeking another four. Jessie will bring a much-needed fresh perspective and youthful energy to the council. She is the best choice for Position 6.

Michael Goff

Graduate student, math

In response to “Mail-in ballots threaten election’s integrity” by Thomas Cloud, Oct. 27, 2009

Reading “Mail-in ballots threaten election’s integrity” made me feel like I was reading a philosophical theory for the first time. You know that point when you are half way into the second paragraph, and you realize you can not follow any of the arguments? I will admit I am a new voter. I turned 18 in May, and unfortunately, I will never have the pleasure of taking part in our democratic system from the polls as long as I reside in King County. However, the main point of the article was (as far as I could tell) that voters are more susceptible to bribes and threats, and that voters’ mail will be stolen by cartoon characters and wanted criminals. How else would Mickey Mouse or Osama bin Laden get their hands on a King County ballot?

Why would having mail-in voting cause people to be more likely to sell their votes? Why would you sell your ballot in the first place? Voting is one of the many reasons we love democracy, and if you are willing to sell your vote … open your eyes! But, back to the point, there is no more incentive for people to sell their votes now than there was back when polling still took place.

So it is up to the voter to protect the “secrecy of the ballot.” That is fine by me. I think of myself as an educated voter; I read articles, listen to debates, do my research, pay attention to important endorsements and know who I’m going to vote for before I vote. I feel that I voted out of my own free will, and I would hazard a bet that most of us do. In no way has Vote by Mail affected the integrity of this election, or, “by extension, the integrity of democracy itself by creating incentives to sell your vote to the highest bidder.” Perhaps this was a satire or an exercise in creativity? My ballot is safe in the hands of King County Elections (I know, I checked online), and I feel safe knowing that the integrity of democracy has been preserved.

Ben Horst

Freshman

In response to “Obama’s hurdles” by Joanna Nolasco, Oct. 28, 2009

I believe that The Daily was correct in printing an article criticizing Obama and his policies. Obama and his approach to policymaking is very overrated. He has been quite ineffective in getting any of his agenda passed and is, at best, a mediocre president. This is coming from a guy who voted for him.

I think a lot of people voted for Obama because they caught “Obama fever.” During his presidential campaign, he made a lot of promises that attracted voters to him. The issue that was the deciding factor for me was the $4,500 tax credit for students attending college that would help with tuition. I also favored his foreign-policy stances on Iran and Iraq. To date, however, no students have been given tax credits, we are still at war with Iraq and Iran is still building nuclear weapons. But at least Obama won a Nobel Peace Prize.

Obama ran his campaign with a promise of bipartisanship. But as we have seen, bipartisanship has been nearly impossible to achieve in Congressional debates. It doesn’t make much sense to offer conservatives a far-left agenda and then constantly berate them on why they don’t agree and embrace bipartisanship. Where are the compromises? Why isn’t Obama “reaching across the aisle” as he promised? The health-care debate has been going on for around three months, and very little progress is being made.

If there’s one thing Obama is good at, it’s giving speeches. Quite frankly, all he does is talk. Every time I turn on the TV, he’s having some kind of press conference or giving a speech. All the while, nothing really gets done. I doubt that Obama will get reelected, and for good reason, too. We need a president who is realistic and embraces the diversity of the United States. We don’t need a president who is all talk and no action. If I could go back in time to November 2008, I would have definitely voted for John McCain. I deeply regret that I didn’t.

Kuzma Kovzun

Senior, biochemistry and

psychology