From Where I Sit: Would you like to take our survey?

Don’t you hate it when the telephone rings right in the middle of dinner and it’s a salesman? And this telemarketer that is trying to get you to buy a subscription, gadget, or aluminum siding for your house is the same guy that called you yesterday? Why won’t some people take “no” for an answer?

Speaking of which, why won’t ASI (the student government, for those of you who didn’t vote last spring) take “no” for an answer? After the students soundly rejected fee hikes to pay for a fitness gym last semester, the student government wants us to vote on the issue a second time. I may be slow, but why do they want use a $50,000 survey (paid for by us) to try to show us that we really do want a recreation center and more student fees, we just got it wrong last time? What kind of politics is it to try to sell a product twice by repackaging in a different box the same silly proposals as before? What an annoying telemarketer the student government and school administration would be. In fact, here is what a telephone call from ASI would probably sound like:

Telephone rings (during dinner, of course).

You: Hello?

ASI: Hi there! How’re ya doing this evening? I’m calling to ask if you’ve heard about our great new deal for a recreation cen-

You: I’ve already voted on a recreation center, just last semester. I’m not interested.

ASI: Great! Well, we’d like you to consider supporting fee hikes of more that $100 a semester to build this thing. We really don’t know how much it will cost, how long it will take to build, or how high we’ll have to hike your fees, but-

You: Well, like I said-

ASI: -it’ll be fun! And besides, you know how cute some people are in spandex workout clothes!

You: I have a question. How much is this election that you’re doing going to cost? And is the cost coming out of the students’ pocket?

ASI: Well, um, yes, but it’s for their own goodŠ

You: And, like I said, how much will the election cost?

ASI: Around $15,000, but that’s nothing compared to the years of benefit and enjoyment you’ll get from having your very own recreation center!

You: Well, I’m sorry, but I plan on graduating and won’t be here longer than just a few more semesters. Plus, if I want to join a gym, I’ll join one. But I don’t want to pay for something that I don’t need, or something I really won’t end up using anyway.

ASI: Aha! But just think of getting in shape and exercising! If you don’t watch your figure, no one else will!

You: Excuse me?! My personal fitness and what I do for exercise is my business. I pay enough fees for things as it is; I don’t want another one. I have a life, bills, school, and responsibilities; I’m a working student.

This rec center scheme is a frill I can’t afford right now, and I don’t see how it’s necessary. Goodbye!

(Click. You hang up the telephone.) End of conversation.