DON’T SUPPORT SIFE

Dear Editor:

While I enjoy reading about the success of SIFE in competition I believe it should be noted on how, in an attempt to get funding, they misrepresented the true prizes available in a raffle held Fall semester 2006.

They advertised two $100 dollar prizes which they did not give out because “we did not make enough money to give out these [prizes].”

While they gave plenty of good prizes they misrepresented the money prizes to all the students who bought tickets.

This is if the money was available at all.

They refused to even show that the money was actually available for winning in the first place.

When I questioned them all they said was “we did not lie” because ostensibly we had a chance to win the money.

This is true, if the money was there, but they refused to prove that the money was actually available for winning taking an attitude of, don’t question us, what we say goes, instead of simply being transparent and ethical in dealing with the students who purchased a chance to win the money in this raffle.

Those who conducted the raffle even became rude when asked by many students to show the money.

Recently I learned that student organizations are not allowed to give out money prizes. Is SIFE exempt from this rule?

If not did they willfully and intentionally lie to the students and faculty who happened to buy raffle tickets this day for a few dollars extra in donations?

I told them that although they did not lie, what they did is unethical.

They could not seem to comprehend this, yet when I ask any business person this question describing the same situation, they have all agreed as to the ethics, or lack thereof, exercised by SIFE.

I ask students not to support SIFE, do not buy their candy, soda, or coffee in Gordon Quad.

Do not buy into their “fund raising efforts” until they issue a public explanation and/or apology for their actions on the day of the raffle.

No organization should be allowed to take advantage of students with impunity.

Chris Siemens
City College student

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WHERE ARE THE HARD-HITTING
ARTICLES, CITY TIMES?

Dear Editor:

The April 19, 2007, issue of City Times disappointed me. I expected a lot more from a college newspaper. Where are the controversial articles?

In my experience students are so busy in their studies and in their struggle to “survive” that they aren’t very aware on what’s happening in the world around them, that’s where this newspaper is supposed to come in.

There needs to be more substance to City Times. It should be a three dimensional world of relevant international information. Where are the hard hitting political articles?

I see this newspaper as a way for students to understand that it’s okay to speak up to the government and that it’s okay to question things that the government is or is not doing.

It’s your responsibility to educate your readers.

You cover the Arts, sports, and campus issues, thorough political issues should also be added and not neglected.

Nicole Villarreal
City College student