Legalization

EDITORIAL: Green Fee A Go

The one dollar per credit hour fee that would only be used towards renewable energy and efficiency initiatives on campus is an allocation of funds that makes sense; not only is it money well spent for the environment, but it reflects well on the University as a progressive university environmentally conscious of their institution.

The Beacon commends the Students for Environmental Action for proposing this Student Green Energy Fund.


EDITORIAL: Smoking ban needs enforcement

While addiction to tobacco is clearly unhealthy, we respect a person’s choice to do what is legally within rights to their body. Residential students or faculty and staff that spend the day on any campus still find a way to smoke, and not providing them with any place to dispose or smoke their cigarettes simply increases pollution.
We are not suggesting a reversal on the ban, but encouraging the development of a formal sanction of regulations. Until then, perhaps the signs in front of every doorway should read, “kind of a smoke free campus.”


THE EDITORIAL: Friedman: average is officially over

The Beacon thinks the advice is timeless and also completely aligned with FIU’s commitment to cultivating students who are global competitive players.
Friedman said that Americans must think like an immigrant, an artisan, amazon.com, and lastly like a waitress from Perkins Pancake House in Minneapolis.
In regard to thinking like an immigrant, Friedman argued that we are all truly immigrants to the new hyper-connected society in which we live. Imploring the crowd to realize there is “no legacy spot,” after graduation, he urged his audience to always “be hungry.”


EDITORIAL: U-wide Supreme Court should be considered

The decision made by the Student Government Council at the Modesto Maidique Campus Supreme Court serves as a further reminder of the contentious division that comes with the two campus council system.

On Feb. 4, the SGC-MMC Supreme Court ruled in favor of the petitioner in Ex Parte Velez SC 001 and stated that the University-wide Activity & Service fee budget should be approved by both the MMC and Biscayne Bay Campus Senates.


EDITORIAL: Tuition hike blame is misplaced

Over the past few years, the state university system has seen an increase in tuition to the maximum yearly allowance of 15 percent.

This yearly increase has been approved by both the state legislature and the University Board of Trustees—eight percent by the House and seven percent by the BoT.

Yet, as University students see a hike in tuition, they are also experiencing cuts and a tightening in restrictions when it comes to state scholarships and financial aid programs such as Bright Futures.


EDITORIAL: Occupy FIU must reevaluate its demonstration methods

We understand that FIU is still a young university that lacks a lengthy history of campus activism. It is learning how to react to a new generation of students who are witnessing a unique social movement in other cities and university campuses that does not seem to be stopping anytime soon. We all need to get use to the soapbox. But let’s make sure it’s okay to stand on it first.


EDITORIAL: The start of the semester calls for student participation

Yet, amidst all of it, The Beacon implores students to focus in on an often overlooked organization that impacts students’ daily affairs, the Student Government Association.The student body should understand how crucial their awareness and involvement will be in the upcoming months. Students, even those who will not be returning next year, should be aware of the impact that decisions made by the SGA will have upon the 2012-2013 academic year.


EDITORIAL: Safety overrides nature in construction of new entrance

Anthony Cave quoted an opponent of the second entrance, asking, “Why don’t you build it in your backyard?” The Beacon notes we are building it in our backyard. Another person, booing the proposal, asked, “What about our children?” Because the University, Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School and the David Lawrence K-8 Center all share only one entrance and one exit, the construction of a second pathway is not just more convenient, but does, indeed consider the safety of the children.


EDITORIAL: Safety overrides nature in construction of new entrance

Anthony Cave quoted an opponent of the second entrance, asking, “Why don’t you build it in your backyard?” The Beacon notes we are building it in our backyard. Another person, booing the proposal, asked, “What about our children?” Because the University, Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School and the David Lawrence K-8 Center all share only one entrance and one exit, the construction of a second pathway is not just more convenient, but does, indeed consider the safety of the children.


EDITORIAL: Pay-for-play a viable option

It is an idea that has been floating around for quite some time and that reality has become clearer as time has progressed. It is definitely true when it comes to professional sports, where athletes make millions and they make their team owners hundreds of millions.