Aguilar’s justification doesn’t hold up

Editor:

I wanted to comment on Nick Aguilar’s statement concerning the shutdown of Student Run Television’s broadcast from the May 27 issue of the Guardian (“UCSD Healthcare pulls plug on SRTV”). His justification for shutting down Student Run Television’s was that “there was no alternative available because the risk of exposing the Preuss School children to indecent material was deemed sufficiently high.” SRTV was shut down on a Saturday! Does he know that school is closed on a Saturday? His justification for shutting down a campus TV network is absolutely ridiculous! I would only hope that Aguilar does not use this same logic when making decisions as the director of student policies and judicial affairs.

— Chelsea A. Welch

Programming Director, SRTV

Triton Taxi service pays for itself

Editor:

Recently the Triton Taxi service has come under fire both by Joe Watson and Charles Dahan, a member of the A.S. Council. Those who oppose the program cite its enormous cost and its benefit only to those dastardly college binge drinkers. Since I live off campus, I cannot pass a day without being on the road. Being able to drive, walk or ride to school without being hit by a drunk driver is something I might take for granted. I have never used Triton Taxi, but if it has prevented even one inebriated individual from getting behind the wheel, it has paid for itself. I can always get a job to make more money, but no amount of working will bring back a loved one killed by a drunk driver. I’m happy to pay for Triton Taxi, even if I never use it. To end the program would be short-sighted and would cost the lives of innocent individuals.

— Andrea Cornford

John Muir College senior

Dahan doesn’t speak for A.S. Council

Editor:

I wish to respond to Charles Dahan’s letter in the May 24 issue of the Guardian (“Triton Taxi a waste of students’ money”). Mr. Dahan expressed his dissatisfaction with the A.S. service Triton Taxi. I sincerely hope that this letter did not confuse or mislead any UCSD students, faculty, staff or administration about the role of this program. Mr. Dahan signed his name, A.S. representative to the Registration Fee Committee.

Though he holds this position and he made his position known in the letter, Mr. Dahan was by no means expressing the views of the Associated Students. Unfortunately, he was misusing his position and misrepresenting the current commitment of the Associated Students to the Triton Taxi program. As an A.S. representative, Mr. Dahan should have known better.

I would also like to reaffirm the Associated Students’ support for Triton Taxi. Many members of the A.S. Council, including myself, personally believe that Triton Taxi is one of the most important programs the Associated Students sponsors. We, as an organization, are committed to the safety of all UCSD students. This program offers a safe alternative to students who are in challenging situations. It has successfully limited instances of drunk driving and aids students who are in uncomfortable situations. As a campus community, we have decided that safety is a priority. This is just one example of how we have taken on the responsibility of making sure that all members of our community are safe.

I sincerely hope that this letter has cleared up any misunderstandings. Mr. Dahan’s words were reckless and irresponsible. And I strongly and publicly reaffirm the Associated Students commitment to safety for all UCSD students and Triton Taxi.

— Jenn Pae

A.S. President

Jared Feldman

A.S. Chief of Staff

Kate Pillon

A.S. Senate Chair

A.S. Council guilty of character assassination

Editor:

In recent days, the A.S. Council lied and employed a fantastic round of character assassination against me for my letter to the Guardian regarding the Triton Taxi program. While members of the council initially discussed how to remove me from my position as A.S. representative to the Registration Fee Committee behind my back, when I was informed of their discussions they immediately attempted to find a substantive reason to attack me. They argue that it is because I signed the letter, “A.S. representative to the Registration Fee Committee.” The Registration Fee Committee distributes millions of dollars of student fees each year, and after finishing deliberations with the committee, I found the Triton Taxi program to be a fantastic waste and one that promotes student alcohol consumption. While the Triton Taxi program is funded by Associated Students and not the Registration Fee Committee, I found it a shame that other programs that were forced to be cut helped students far more than being a chauffeur for the intoxicated.

I am, in fact, the A.S. representative to the Registration Fee Committee, contrary to the wishes of A.S. President Jenn Pae, who believes that I am her personal representative or the representative of just the A.S. Council. Rather, I am the representative of all associated students — which, unfortunately, Associated Students does not represent. Its adoption of policies without adequate discussion or dissent, such as the Triton Taxi program, which had basically no alternative discourse, is irresponsible and harmful to students, especially when the A.S. Council attempts to punish its own representatives when they attempt to engage in such discourse.

As an advisory notice, while Associated Students pays lip service to encouraging an environment of open discourse, it in fact uses terms such as “accountability” to ensure that those who disagree with its policies will not be welcome or appointed to committees. Apparently, accountability to Ms. Pae and the other A.S. Council members means firing those who do not conform to their views or standards. If I confused anyone in my letter, I apologize — as I stated, the A.S. Council supports the Triton Taxi program, as should be clear due to its extravagant funding. I, the A.S. representative to the Registration Fee Committee, do not. It is worrisome that personal-attack politics are practiced at UCSD, and I encourage Ms. Pae to change such a tone — or at least not participate in it — next year.

— Charles Dahan

A.S. representative,

Registration Fee Committee