Amistad should play in local theaters

This film has been nominated for four Golden Globes. And just as Schindler's List somehow originally missed the State College area theaters, now Amistad is also missing. In the Jan. 15 Collegian article "Spanier, guests discuss cinema," Spanier notes that, "seeing Amistad has changed the way he sees the African-American experience." If you are interested in seeing Amistad come to State College, please write:

Mr. Mike Lubensky, c/o Carmike Cinemas, District Office, 2206 W. 15th St., Erie, Pa. 16505

Hopefully, the Graduate Student Association or Association of Residence Hall Students will jump in and fill the void.

Marc Bumble
graduate-computer science and engineering

Senior Class Gift not worthy of donations

There isn't even any assurance that this gift idea was provided by a student. Furthermore, the assertion that we can contribute to the class gift "without taking a cent out of our own pockets" is absurd. Our average $38, while not in our pockets, is still money that could have been earning interest in our time at Penn State.

Aside from the monetary issue, this whole "tradition" of the class gift, while good in theory, does little to improve the education of future students.

Thanks to the gifts that Marshall points to, our predecessors have bought us a clock that rarely works, a shrine to commemorate our eradication of a local species and a sign that most students are unaware of. Now, we are meant to fund the HUB terrace.

The only thing we've learned in the HUB is that the food is overpriced and would never fly at an off-campus establishment.

If the gift were used for something other than to provide funds for the University administration's pet projects, such as enriching the real experience of the University -- lessons from the excellent faculty and, perhaps more importantly, our peers -- we would gladly contribute to the cause. As things stand, however, we'd rather not fund such an ill-minded "gift."

We encourage all like-minded seniors to join us in our rejection of the class gift. Instead, get your hard-earned cash and celebrate your graduation in a manner that future Penn Staters would appreciate.

Mike Joyce
senior-chemistry

Jonathan Kelble
senior-hotel, restaurant and institutional management

Golfer with disability should not play

His ability to win two more times is very plausible due to the special privilege handed to him as a result of his handicap.

The PGA Tour and the United States Golf Association (USGA) have specific rules that prohibit the use of golf carts during competition. Since golf's inception in the fields of Scotland many years ago, it has always been a game that is played while walking. Walking, not cart riding, during PGA Tour and USGA tournaments has always been protocol . . . and should be continued.

The PGA Tour hasn't said that Martin won't be allowed to play, he simply won't be able to take a cart. That's the rule . . . and a good one. The PGA Tour and the USGA have the right to make their own rules and run their own tournaments in any fashion they want.

If Martin's inability to walk prohibits his ability to play on tour then he should look for another job and not attempt to use the court system as a vehicle to force private institutions to succumb to his demands.

If individuals don't like the USGA and PGA Tours' policy regarding carts, and they believe it's discriminatory toward disabled people, then they shouldn't watch PGA and USGA golf and shouldn't attend their tournaments.

I suggest the handicapped rights activists form their own golfing tour and use Casey Martin as their poster-boy. These two private institutions (PGA and USGA) are not mediums in which bleeding-heart liberals should attempt to correct perceived injustices. It is up to the prospective organizations to govern by their rules, not the federal government and the ADA.

Brad Park
senior-turfgrass science