Slippery sidewalks dangerous
I have fallen numerous times on slippery sidewalks going to and from class. I have also witnessed others falling many times.
There was one incident when I was walking to Gries Hall from Jamrich. There was a lot of ice buildup right in front of the doors on the eastern corner of the building. I had slipped on my way into the building so I already knew it was slippery but I had to go that way to go to my next class and I didn’t have time to go around. When I stepped through the door I was instantly brought to my knees before I even had time to think about getting out of the way of the swinging door.
Luckily there was someone right in front of me who caught the door or I would likely have been hit by the door and/or pinned in the door. I was not hurt in this incident, however I have seen people who have fallen on the ice on campus who have come out of it much worse than myself with broken bones and/or sprains.
The university needs to find a way to minimize the ice on the sidewalks. It is dangerous and when it builds up by the doors of buildings that have large numbers of students going in and out on a daily basis it gets even more dangerous. Students can be seriously injured by the swinging door if they fall in the path of it.
Shana Frederickson
sophomore, accounting
“Coraline” review infantile
As a movie buff, I like to read the reviews of movies playing on the silver screen just as much, if not more than, most. I however find myself at odds with Scott Viau, especially over the last few weeks.
First, there was his horrendous Feb. 12 review of “Coraline” which was a film unparalleled by any I have seen in a long time. Viau’s citation that the film “lacked an original story” was the furthest thing from the truth. However, he is entitled to his opinion and that is not the underlying problem. The underlying problem is Viau’s infantile remarks such as calling the film a “sleep aid” for anyone who is suffering from insomnia. Reviews, though personal opinion, still require a modicum of professional thinking and acting which I have found lacking in Viau’s comments.
I opened the paper this past week expecting the same infantile review, but in the review “Tame horror ruins hyped ‘Friday’ remake,” I saw a statement I never expected, “This could have been done by actually having the camp open up again and have kids present, perhaps even killing a few.” That sentiment is just sick and Viau should leave those types of thoughts at home. I know that I’m not required to read the newspaper or the reviews, but all journalists have a responsibility to make what they are writing palatable for all readership.
Daniel Gonyea-Alexander
freshman, English writing
Going trayless a fruitless effort
On Jan. 23, I read a brief article in The North Wind titled “Students Challenged to go Trayless.” I also read another article more recently and got the impression that Northern was considering moving to a permanently tray-free setting.
If this is the case I feel that discontinuing the availability of trays may be an unwelcome idea for many NMU students.
“By only taking what one can carry — one plate, one drink — we think there will be less wasted food,” said Hobie Webster, president of ASNMU.
In an attempt to cut down on wasted food, I can only see going trayless as a fruitless effort. Even a small meal may consist of a bowl, small plate and a glass. Just these three things would require a student to take two trips to their seat posing an inconvenience and costing busy students valuable time. Also, students may try to carry all plates and glasses in one trip. This would undoubtedly result in more accidents, (i.e. spills, dropped dinner ware) and expenditures for Northern in the form of wasted food and more dishes.
I hope that when making the final decision, Dining Services would consider the previously noted consequences and choose to keep the existing trays in the Marketplace and Wildcat Den.
William Barker
freshman, biology
