Congratulations

Nick, your column in Tuesday's Maroon is really fantastic. I appreciate the concerns of folks who live in Hyde Park and yet have nothing to do with the University. They often feel a great deal of contempt for actions the University chooses to take, claiming that it has no regard for the community in which it resides. I agree with these people that the University should try and be a good neighbor. However, I can't for the life of me figure out how offering this extra service to students affects the community. Certainly the CTA is the problem.

I'm in favor of the student body mixing the community. I think it's healthy. But who in their right mind thinks that the bus is where this sort of thing is going to take place? If I'm a native Hyde Parker, I'd be thrilled to no longer have to listen to loud, obnoxious students talking over the dull roar of the bus about concerns that, outside of our academic bubble, must seem pretty damn trivial. I'm glad we can get out of their hair. If you want an event that involves the community, look to this weekend's Summer Breeze. I may not be going, but a lot of students are. So are many members of the community. This way, people can gather in one spot to celebrate things that they have in common. If these protestors are looking for integration with the community, they should be asking the Univeristy to spend more money on programs like that, rather than trying to take away a much-needed service like the Red Line Shuttle.