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Letters to the Editor
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Dear Editors,
I am a 1999 Bilkent graduate continuing my education at the Harvard University Extension School in the U.S. A few weeks ago, after my regular swim course, I was on my way to the showers when I saw four men standing by the doorway of the men's locker room. Imagine my surprise when I realized I knew them! Dr. Hayri Özkan, Dr. Alper Uğraş, and two other officials from Bilkent University were there in front of me holding cameras. I approached them and said "Hello" in Turkish. They immediately recognized me (I had been the captain of the Bilkent Women's Basketball Team), whereupon we asked each other the exact same question: "What are you doing here?" Well, my answer was simple, but their answer made me feel proud of my alma mater once again. They said, "Construction of the third gym is going to be completed this year, so we came to the United States to visit some universities and examine their athletic centers for ideas to make our athletic center the best it could be." I was so happy to hear that the Bilkent community will be able to use the new gym next year. And I'm also happy that I have been part of a community that gives so much importance to helping students, teachers, and employees maintain a healthy lifestyle. That day we had a little chat, they took some pictures of us, and I promised to visit them this summer to see the new gym and get my photos! I might even have a chance to shoot a few baskets in the new gym. Well, what more can I say-it's a small world!
Neyran Şen (TRIN/99)
Dear Editor,
I was somewhat bemused by the letter sent into Bilkent News last week regarding cellular phone use. Though there clearly exists a problem with the misuse of mobile phones on campus, the solution presented to this problem, outright banning, was a little extreme. As a mobile phone user, I feel more than capable of using such a device in a respectable manner, and I believe that the overwhelming majority of mobile users do the same.
There does exist a problem of some people using mobile telephones in the library and the computer labs.
However, a prohibition on this activity does exist. The outright banning of mobile telephones will have exactly the same effect as prohibiting them in certain places now, and that is no effect whatsoever. What is needed is the implementation of the present prohibitions, not only on the part of the staff of the university but by all members of the student body. We all have to learn how to use mobile telephones in a polite manner that doesn't distract or offend others, and we should encourage our peers to do the same. If the culture of their use doesn't change, then the problems regarding their misuse will prevail.
The solutions to such a "pressing problem" should begin within ourselves. Why not politely ask someone to turn off their phone, or speak a little quieter, or go somewhere else to use it? Why not inform one of the staff of the library to ask the person to turn it off? Taking their phone and smashing it into little pieces, a draconian measure, generally makes people unhappy. Draconian measures are possibly suitable for military training camps, but they are definitely not suitable for university campuses.
Jason J. Nash
(Graduate Student of Political Science)
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