
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 30, 1990                   TAG: 9007020164
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FOR STUDENTS, ACCESS TO CARS ESSENTIAL

UNFORTUNATELY, I'm constantly reminded of such opinionated people as Harriet Hodges. Her letter June 14 was an insignificant complaint based on the fact that she wasn't allowed to have a car as an undergraduate in 1957-61.

Ms. Hodges writes, "The student should be in the library, not on the road." I take exception, as do many other students. More than 50 percent of American colleges are community/junior colleges and cannot provide on-campus housing. To get to school, let alone the library, access to a car is essential.

Students also need cars to get to the jobs they take in order to help pay for college and its expenses. Mass transit is neither convenient nor available in many places.

Ms. Hodges says, "Wouldn't it be lovely if the concept of the college acting for the absent - and quite firm - parent were to return?" Ms. Hodges misses the ulterior motive of why students want to go to college. They may love their parents, but nobody likes being told what to do and not do all of the time.

Many colleges have decided that instead of playing "mommy and daddy," it's much better to let the students grow up, mature and take on more responsibilities before they are out by themselves in the world. It would be very dangerous for colleges to put a stranglehold on students' rights as free-thinking human beings. Discipline is necessary, but it should be tempered with justice, kindness, and humanity. Otherwise, why go to college; why not join the military?

I agree we need more and better transit, but Ms. Hodges shouldn't blame just students, but also some of her peers!

KENNETH E. COOPER\ ROANOKE

by CNB