Our Take

I’m not getting a whole lot out of class, I’m really just missing a lot of lecture.”
— Julian Tucker, freshman business management major

It has been a positive effect on me because the two or three days that we had out I’ve had major tests on. That gave me an extra couple of days to study.”
— Kyle Taylor, freshman chemistry major

Wind ensemble and chamber singers are going on tour within the next two weeks. We really need to have rehearsal and we have missed a lot of rehearsals.”
— Sarah Turner, senior music major

I think that the biggest thing about the snow day is that there are a lot of students that feel a little bit cheated because they paid to come to school here and we’ve been out four or five days already.”
— James Demoss, sophomore English major

It has been messing up my schedule and I have classes. I just can’t keep it all on track.”
— Josh Owens, freshman biology major

The main thing that the snow days affect is just throwing off your time schedule.”
— Anthony Coffee, freshman computer science major

The snow has affected my classes because now we’re behind and all my tests are going to be around the same week.”
— Jordan Farmer, freshman nursing major

The snow has affected my classes by pushing everything behind and all my tests are going to be right before spring break making it very difficult.”
— Rebekah Pippin, freshman communication major

Our Take

On Sunday, Jan. 31, The All State broke news that Westboro Baptist Church has APSU down on their calendar to come and picket the Unity Celebration Dinner speaker Judy Shepard.

According the their Web site, www.godhatesfags.com, “WBC engages in daily peaceful sidewalk demonstrations opposing the homosexual lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth.”

We at TAS feel they, as well as other protestors, have the same rights as every one else to protest no matter if it’s something we don’t agree with.

TAS is protected by freedom of the press in first amendment to the U.S. Constitution, like WSC is protected by freedom of speech, religion and to peaceful assembly. The keyword, though, is peaceful.

Last semester, PinPoint Evangelism came to campus to deliver their message. After University Facilities approved the duo, they went to the Free Speech Area located in the Morgan University Center Plaza between the UC and the Harvill bookstore, and a crowd quickly grew.

Some students ignored it while others argued and debated with them. A few students even mocked them by “healing other students” and pretended to be preach the same words as the protesters.

Whenever protests occur on campus, we at TAS believe they should be respected because they are within their rights to protest. According the Free Speech Area Guidelines published in the Student Handbook, “the use of the Free Speech Area is for any organization (campus or non-campus) or individual (campus or non-campus) for the exhortation of a position topic or issue.”

Some editorial board members feel we pay thousands of dollars to receive an education and this disrupts the education flow. If students are being yelled at, they have the right to yell back.

The editorial board did agree if APSU sent out an e-mail notifying students, faculty and staff about a protest that day, students will be aware and can avoid the event taking place that day if they wish.

In order to reserve the Free Speech Area, an organization must contact the University Facilities office. Free speech activists cannot exceed 90 minutes, although the Office of the President can grant exceptions for reserved use.

As of press time, Monday, Feb. 1, WBC had not registered the Plaza with University Facilities.

Your Take

I really don’t like it. It is rather pointless. We had a perfect prior e-mail system and I just got used to the old one and now I have to learn the new one.”
— Kardero Jeffries, sophomore music education major

I think the new e-mail system is better than the last one. Everything is all put together. It looks more organized. It was easier to respond to my professors.”
— Kya Brown, freshman psychology major

I like it. It’s easier than the other e-mail. I do like that it’s part of D2L but also get on through MSN.”
— Steven Williams, sophomore computer science major

I don’t feel it was all that appropriate really to be honest. Really for me it was change that I didn’t like.”
— Tracey Kyles, junior graphic design major

I think it is APSU attempt to try to look like a hybrid out university and revamp their e-mail system every other year because they think progress means redoing things because they weren’t good the first time.”
— Ryan Boyd, senior English major

It is really easy. It is a lot easier to deal with than AP Mail cause everything is setup right there for you to find.”
— Jennifer Minton, freshman history major

I have no problem with the new e-mail system but the transition has been hellish (daunting). There are two e-mail systems. It seems like no one is using the new one and the old one is shutting down and so I think there is going to be a gap of no e-mail that are really important transition has been irritating and or a longer transition or to merge the two accounts.”
— Liza Kurtz, senior sociology major

I feel that our new e-mail system is revolutionary. It is unlike anything like I have ever experienced. I feel like I am finally living now that I have this new web system. It makes my life so much easier. It is like the microwave oven don’t know what I would do with out it.”
— Amber Schmidt, freshman undecided

They have a strong offense with solid wide receivers. They also have Mr. Clutch, Peyton Manning.”
— Anthony Irizarg, junior marketing major, picked Colts.

My dad has always been a Vikings fan, so I have to go for them.”
— Megan Gray, freshman biology major, goes for the Vikings.

Everyone is going for Vikings but I think the Colts will win.”
— Bethany Garrett, sophomore biology major, chose the Colts to take it all.

I think Colts will win it, but I want the Vikings to win.”
— Sean Bailey, freshman communications major, chose Vikings over the Colts