Editor:
The Editorial in the October 5th issue contained the closing sentence: "In other words, trustees would rather serve those who vote them in instead of the students who attend college." Of course they do, that is what a democracy is all about. The question is, "Who votes?"
In the 1960's college students complained that while they were eligible for the draft, they were not allowed to vote. The Twenty-sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, passed in 1971, gives most college students (age 18-21) the right to vote. Do they? Not in very impressive numbers; in 1996, only 31% of citizens age 18 to 20 and 33% of those age 21 to 24 voted in the presidential election. (Compare to 49% for age 25-44, 64% for age 45 to 64, and 67% for over age 65.)
Now, you tell me whose desires the elected officials respond to first. If you don't participate in the electoral process, your wishes will be placed behind the wishes of those who do. Another lesson learned at IVCC.
Mike Phillips
Instructor