Letter to the editor - Nov. 11, 2010

Evan Russo

Graduate student seeking Masters business administration

Illustration by Courtney Niskala •niskalac@thehohnsonian.comWhere is the respect?

As a student who is finishing out his 11th semester at Winthrop (don’t worry folks, graduated in 4 years,

another semester and I will have a masters) I find myself becoming frustrated with those who don’t respect

our community. I proudly view Winthrop as my home. Yes, home. If that’ s not school spirit, I’m not sure what is!

But, my issue comes with the respect that is given on this campus. Walking home from class this evening I watched a car drive the wrong direction down a one-way street. I gave the driver a strange look, then walked up to the window and politely asked if she knew she was going the wrong way.

She abruptly told me she “ knew that,” and she was just picking someone up. Then, she rolled her window back up. I walked away stunned. Besides the $237.50 ticket she could have earned (Likely SC Code of Laws 56-5-950), she disrespected our community. Why would someone blatantly disregard simple rules(and state laws)? This can be applied back to illegal parking, throwing cigarette butts on the ground, and talking back to people.

How would you feel if I went to your house and parked on the lawn? Or, maybe I decided to park in your driveway while I visited another friend. You would likely be upset that I was disrespecting your house.

Or, maybe I was done with my fast food meal and just dropped the wrapper on your lawn. You wouldn’t care right?

Think about it when you are on Winthrop’ s campus. This is our home. What impressions are you leaving on others and what positive mark are you making with the campus community? Help be that positive change, and have pride in your campus.

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