Dear Editor,

The University's security and transportation departments adopted a senseless policy of identification checks in February. Because of it, students are forced to show their ID cards more than three times a day coming and leaving school. It makes sense that we should show our cards while entering the main gate, but it's a bit abnormal to be asked to show them while getting on the buses at the Tunus stop even though we know we will be asked to show them for the second time 20 minutes later when get to the University.

I ask these departments to stop this unnecessary and painful policy and let us live in peace with the bus drivers and the security guards. When we do not want to show our cards for the second time, or when we forget them, or perhaps when they are stolen, we are faced with rude behavior from these people. The most ridiculous thing is that the bus drivers even ask us to show our cards when we want to leave school from the bus stop on campus. I hope this senseless ID check stuff will end soon.

(Anıl Öztürk IR-II)

Dear Editor,

The aim of this mail is to complain about the recent changes in the transportation services. I am not talking about the East Campus-Main Campus Ring services. I'm talking about the ID control process, which makes me think I'm studying in some kind of a base where trespassers are thought to be dangerous.

First of all, those letters complaining about "invaders of our holy service buses" didn't seem to be serious at all. But it didn't take much for transportation services staff to start behaving like eagle-eyed knights protecting our welfare. Our IDs are being checked now at city bus stops and the main gate.

Some drivers love this process and have started checking IDs at bus stops on campus! The only possible logical reason for this might be a desire to trap the invaders of our holy campus here and make them live with their sins on campus forever! Why are we trying to create a isolated community out of a peaceful one? I don't want to think of Bilkent people as "us" and the rest as "others."

If Bilkent University Campus is a place that belongs to a few people, go ahead and forbid any entrance to the campus.

(Arda Kurt EE-I)

Dear Editor,

I adore Bilkent, but there are several reforms that would make it better:

1. The computer labs need to be a place of study, not socialization. There should be a cell phone ban and a no talking rule.

2. The schedule of classes in the computer lab should be clearly marked and posted daily with a big sign. When there is a class in the lab, the door needs to be shut and clearly marked with a sign.

3. The buses need to run twice as often. The system cannot cope with demand at peak times, and every hour is inconvenient. The schedule should also be delayed five minutes so those of us who get out of class at 40 past the hour don't automatically miss the bus.

4. The buses need ventilation. I've almost thrown up several times because of the lack of air, not to mention all the sudden starts and stops.

5. The number of trees on campus needs to be doubled, and buildings should be decorated with colorful murals by students.

(Ben Ball POLS-V)

University Officials Respond

Editor's note: Transportation Services Manager M. Sinan Cam offered the following response after reviewing the letters.

"Bilkent University service buses are for members of the Bilkent community, their friends and relatives, for students, and for people coming to use Bilkent's library. The buses are not for residents of Bilkent I-II, employees of Meteksan, Tepe, etc., or customers or employees of Bilkent Center or Plaza. That's why ID card checks have been initiated coming from and going to the city. From our point of view, members of the Bilkent community could help drivers by showing their ID cards before being asked."

Bilkent Computer Center Director Seyit Koçberber offered the following response after reviewing the letters.