Letters to the Editor

10/1/09 7:00pm

Online Comment of the Week

In response to "Houston lacks grandeur of New York life," Sept. 25:It is very interesting to read your comments about moving to Houston from the beautiful and populated city of New York, because you had almost the exact opposite experience compared to me. I grew up in a very, very small community (population 200) on the western side of Texas, approximately 800 or so miles away from Houston. Right before high school, my family was transplanted to Atlanta, Ga., which doesn't even have the dignity of being in the top-10 most populated cities in the United States, and I experienced one of the greatest culture shocks of my life. My response to this upheaval was almost exactly the same as yours: "This is not how things should be. People here do not understand [insert culture here]."

You stated it quite clearly at the beginning of your article: Houston is not New York. Thank God. Imagine what it would be like if you were transplanted all the way to Texas, and things were exactly the same. So much for branching out and experiencing new things while you are in college. The world doesn't need two New Yorks.

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My advice: Try to experience Houston for what it IS, without comparing it to New York. You can get your dose of the Northeast over the holidays, but in the meantime, learn to appreciate the unique culture of a completely different part of the country. There will be things you don't like, but you may also find things you absolutely LOVE.

Katelyn Willis

Will Rice '09

Revealing image inappropriate

To the Editor:

I want to call your attention to an image printed in last week's Thresher Backpage. The writer could have expressed his or her idea of using the locker rooms as a porn set without posting the horrible picture. The image appears to be anathema to everything that Rice stands for. Whether or not it falls under the definition of porn, it is in no way suitable to be published in one the most reputable universities' newspapers.

Rukhsana Chughtai

Graduate student

Cleaning staff still treated fairly

To the Editor:

Contrary to the headline on the front-page story two weeks ago ("Cleaning staff starts year shorthanded," Sept. 18), our Housing and Dining staff did not start the year "shorthanded." If the reporter had interviewed more than two anonymous sources, she might have gotten a more accurate representation of the situation.

Over the summer our custodial supervisors assessed their staffing levels and needs, just as they always do before the new school year begins. They concluded that the staffing model at the south colleges, which consists of four custodial positions each, seems to be the most effective.

Most of the north colleges had five custodians each. We're implementing the south colleges model at Brown College, Jones College and Martel College, and we're evaluating what the ideal staffing model is for Duncan College and McMurtry College as the custodians and students become more familiar with their new space. We want to be sure the workload is distributed appropriately across the north colleges.

Your story also mentioned that the salaries of staff members were unaffected by last year's budget cuts, but it failed to point out that staff members whose annual salaries are below $60,000 received pay raises. We also held increases in employee contributions for health insurance under 5 percent.

Our custodians work hard, care about the students they serve and take pride in their work, evident by the beauty of our buildings and campus. It's important for them to know their efforts are very much appreciated by the students as well as faculty, staff and administration.

In fact, if students want to help our custodians and show their appreciation for their efforts, they can do their part to help keep our buildings and campus clean and in tip-top shape.

Mark Ditman

Associate Vice President for Housing and Dining

Houston calls for vast exploration

To the Editor:

Johanna Ohm's column deriding Houston ("Houston lacks grandeur of New York life," Sept. 25) and arguing that it is "not a city," let alone a city to rival New York, only proved to me that she knows nothing about Houston.

Johanna, try to discover Houston. Explore it. And when I say "explore it," I don't mean drive around the city. I mean walk it. Walk up Montrose with a friend and play a game of chess at the giant chessboard. Walk down Smith Street to the theater district. Walk to Viet Town. Walk Shepherd and Westheimer to the Galleria, stopping along the way to peruse mildly-creepy discount book stores, buy vinyl LPs at Black Dog Records, shop the gourmet chocolate aisle at Central Market, ogle the display at Sugarbaby's Cupcake Boutique and buy some ice skates before hitting the Galleria ice rink.

When you walk around Houston you'll discover what this city has that Manhattan lacks. For example, Houston has trees, grass and flowers. You'll also discover what this city offers in contrast to NYC: Houston has its own unique attitude, some marvelous neighborhoods and an equally impressive restaurant scene. And speaking of food, how is New York barbeque?

Oh, and one more thing, Johanna. When you move off campus here in Houston, you'll be able to afford an apartment.

Brian Reinhart

Wiess junior

Rice campus home to tree diversity

To the Editor:

I am from Houston, but I have traveled a lot and my parents are proud non-Houstonians, so I understand many of Johanna Ohm's complaints about my city ("Houston lacks grandeur of New York life," Sept. 25). There is nothing wrong with culture shock, and if I were transplanted to the Northeast I would probably find plenty of dismaying oddities that would make me miss home.

However, one of her darts struck too close to my heart to laugh off. My job last summer was to update the Rice Campus Tree Map (available online), and after meeting every one of our 4,781 trees, let me tell you, we do not only have one type of tree. In fact, our campus is the Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum! When you look past the 2,262 live oaks, there are 167 other species of woody plants on campus. From the lovely serpentine branching of the old post oaks to the heady smell of magnolia flowers in late spring, the campus trees have a lot to offer.

As a tree lover, it's unsettling to go somewhere new and feel surrounded by unfamiliar giants. However, four years is more than enough time to familiarize oneself with Texas trees. Out-of-towners, I challenge you: Rather than feel disappointed by the absence of sugar maples, learn to recognize its cousins, the red maple and southern sugar maple. Rather than bemoan the lack of coniferous evergreens, find and enjoy our evergreen oaks. Our trees may be different from y'all's, but they are no less beautiful, and if you're looking for plant diversity, the Rice campus is actually an excellent place to start.

Carina Baskett

Martel senior

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