Counter inTuitive

This is a regular feature to examine the information in the weekly Trinitonian editorial. I love the Trinitonian and the students who run it. Sometimes, however there are more nuances to the issue than they have space for. Besides, electronic media allows for there to be "watchdog" watchdogs. Editorials are rated by "hits," as in blog hits, with one being worst and 5 being best. If they are published on-line I will provide links.

November 13 - Registration
If one counts shooting the bull with other seniors in the newsroom as comprehensive research, then this editorial is fine. There are several issues explored here and I think they are all valid: how students are assigned advisors, whether students advisors have time for them, whether or not we offer sufficient academic support services, the functionality of degree audits, and the University's role for accommodatingh seniors who haven't planned thoughtfully. These are big issues and each is worth some in-depth exploration. Theme: I sometimes sense that the main editorial is a late Thursday night afterthought and think it deserves more time. It should be the voice of well-considered and thoughtful student opinions. "Simba, you are more than you have become."
2 blog hits

November 20 - Supporting Local Education
Right on! The writer was inspired by the speech from the Young Alumnus Award winner Mark Larson, who runs the Kipp Academy. This piece scores highest because it calls students to greater action to serve those in need in our community (and stops just short of blaming the administration, though I am not sure for what). I wish they would have acknowledged that over 100 students are currently mentoring and tutoring students at two schools in the San Antonio Independent School District as part of an initiative by the Residential Life staff. That oversight just cost them one blog hit.
3 blog hits

Tom Tielleman - Seriously?
Tom, you asked for it, though I never intended to critique columnists, just the main editorial. First off, your last name is hard to spell. Second, thanks for acknowledging my blog two columns back. "It's actually pretty cool" flatters and offends me all at once. Third, I am not sure what you are writing about, but I like it. And finally, related to this week's piece about making the Wednesday before Thanksgiving a holiday, you are generally on target, except for the facts. Just kidding. The reason adding a day to NSO is a problem has to do with when faculty come back, how quickly the residence halls can be turned around from summer conferences, and when parents can travel to deliver their first year students. Opening on a Thursday instead of a Friday would mean taking off on Wednesday for those more than a few hours away. That is hard for families. I like the solutions you propose to give graduating seniors a pass/fail. keep up the above average work! None of this has to do with when our calendars are printed, but nice touch.