Rotten attitudes spoil the whole program
by Nick Nance, managing editor

    I am very let down by my fellow students. Although a select few, they have ruined something for all of us on NE Campus.

   Few people are aware that the basketball court on NE Campus has been closed to everyone want-ing to play basketball.

   When I found out, I asked “why?” But I already knew the answer.

   A recurring theme for the past few years has been for non-students to use the facilities unchecked. In fact, the basketball team that won last semester’s intramural tournament was disqualified because a player was not a student or faculty member.

   In addition, a few students were unable to control their tempers and look at basketball as just a game. We have witnessed numerous altercations in which the campus police have been involved.

   I may not be great at basketball, but I love playing the game. I am a competitor, and I want to take part in the game because I enjoy it.

   This brings me to another point. Why is it the majority is being punished for the actions of a group of bad apples?

   It is not only students who enjoy playing basketball on NE Campus. I have played with numerous staff and faculty members who are as bothered by this situation as I.

   Usually on the first day of class, our instructor informs us of the college policy that any student continually disruptive to the rest of the class will be removed from the class.

   Therefore, the students who are responsible for disruptions on the basketball court should be removed. They have become disruptive to the rest of the campus by their actions. Three separate incidents were caused by the same person.

   Why can’t we remove such people? I was also part of a game last semester when a student began yelling profanities at the faculty member refereeing the game. That behavior was uncalled for as are these actions being tolerated.

   Why can’t these problem people be removed?

   I do see it to be 99.9 percent the student’s fault. The remainder of the blame falls on the staff members who have been left in charge of the facility. I have gone to check out a basketball and had to wait five or ten minutes for the person working the desk to get off the phone.

   In the past when I was playing basketball, there was only one occurrence when a campus police officer came into the building to check if the people using the gym were actually students, and I’ve played a lot of basketball.

   I do not appreciate the actions of the students, nor do others who must suffer now as well. However, as an active person on this campus I know something can be done to accommodate the good and punish the bad.