OUR VIEWS Consensus Opinion

Tech students know that it's nothing new for campus administrative initiatives to be pursued without the student body's best interests in mind. In fact, such blatant disregard by Tech Auxiliary Services for student concerns when undertaking serious projects has almost become a comfortable Tech tradition. Yet, no self-serving project in the past has so blatantly flown in the face of student concerns as much as Auxiliary Services' bookstore relocation plan does now.

Few can argue that off-campus development is a bad idea. Indeed, the real estate is there and the need exists for expanded Master Plan construction. Using the on-campus student bookstore as a tool to accomplish these goals, however, is a shameless exploitation of on-campus resources. For years, the bookstore has been a shining example of a successful, self-sufficient campus enterprise-a rare occurrence at Tech to be sure.

Selling-out our bookstore to a monolithic private corporation like Barnes and Noble threatens student interests in several ways. First, privatization leads to higher book price mark-ups, which means less money in the pockets of Tech students and more in the pockets of disassociated corporate employees with no loyalty to our great Institute. Second, a student bookstore run by an outside company insures a lengthier order time and less diverse merchandise selection. Finally, no Board-of-Regents or Tech administrative oversight could hinder the negative business practices of a foreign-run, off-campus bookstore. Let's not let Auxiliary Services turn this bookstore relocation plan into another Marriott debacle; the last food service deal struck left a bad taste in the mouths of most students. Someone at the top of Tech's food chain should intervene to halt this madness.

Football ticket fiasco

Why will too many Tech students, forever loyal to Yellow Jacket football, be enjoying our homecoming showdown with the Tar Heels this Saturday propped upon a bar stool or stretched out on a sofa instead of on their feet in Bobby Dodd Stadium? Because the Athletic Association decided ticket profits are more important than student support. Students have been getting burned by Tech's punishing football ticket distribution policy more and more as our Jackets have gotten better and better.

The tickets are out there-for a price. Instead of selling excess tickets to students, GTAA should give a free or discounted tickets to every student who wants one. After all, we do pay a $75 athletic fee every semester. In addition, every student that has a ticket should use it. Don't leave your football-loving brethren out in the cold.