'CONTROL FREAK' RESPONDS

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I am writing this letter in response to the recent editorial written
in the Endeavour, by Mr. Chuck Beyer, dated April 7, 2004 entitled
"Scholz a control freak".

When I first read this letter, it deeply upset me. However, it also
made me step back and analyze the way in which I handle my role in
leadership.

The letter was from someone who had not been at the meeting and had
not had the opportunity to speak with me personally so it was evident
that not all the information was present.

The intent of the meeting as presented to me originally was to deal
with voter apathy among people aged 18-42. Statistics show that a mere
25% of people in this age category take the time to go out and vote.
This was to be the issue of the forum. The concept of legalization of
marijuana, tuition costs, same sex marriages, and government funding
were some of the issues that were going to be discussed, since theses
were issues that students want to take an active interest in. Not one
issue in particular was going to take precedence over any other and
that was a key concept for me.

When the proposal was originally submitted, I was asked to book the
actual room for the event and to pass it by the Executive of the
College, since a student at large in unable to access rooms in the
College. When I booked the room and spoke with the Executive about
this concept, I assured them that I would be present at the meeting to
see that everything was handled appropriately.

I had no issue with the topic of legalization of marijuana being
raised; however, when one issue is being looked at too long, it is
time to move on. We had been on the subject for over 30 minutes and it
looked as thought he meeting was not progressing any further. My
suggestion at the meeting was to move on to one of the other subjects
that were proposed to be discussed, at which time I was informed that
everyone present was there for one reason and one reason only, to
debate the issue of legalization of marijuana. I am stating that this
was not the sole intent of the meeting as presented to me and it was
never approved to be advertised as such. If nothing else, I felt sorry
for the students in attendance, especially the class, who were present
with a false concept of what would happen in the meeting.

In regards to Mr. Beyer's comment that his tax dollars are funding my
salary, this is a completely false statement. Apparently Mr. Beyer is
unaware of how our organization works, but my honorarium is paid by
student fees and not by taxpayer dollars.

All in all, I felt I was completely misled about what the meeting was
about and this is when I asked for the direction of the meeting to
stop. I never intended to keep students from having a voice. I believe
in the freedom of speech and that all students views be heard.

However, there is a place for these events to occur and an education
institution is not one of them, especially when the meeting was seen
as very one sided. I am here to represent a number of students with a
number of different backgrounds and beliefs and because of this I felt
that this meeting was not enabling all students to be heard.

I would enjoy any feedback, comments or questions that anyone has
regarding this issue, so please feel free to e-mail me at
sapres@lethbridgecollege.ab.ca

Respectfully,

Preston Scholz

President, LCCSA