Sherouse gives voice to mainstream student opinion

Finally, there is someone on The Chronicle opinion page that is rational and non-sensationalist about all the hyped-up and trumped-up (non-existent) "problems" that Duke and Duke students have. Oliver Sherouse sounds like the voice of all of us Duke students that are satisfied with Duke and the Duke community. There is very little for us to constantly complain about.

Just yesterday Kristin Butler wrote a fascinating and well-researched article about the timelessness of the current "issues" facing Duke. Unfortunately, instead of coming to the conclusion that all of the cultural, drinking, sexual, racial and facility shortcomings at Duke have been mostly imagined for the past 50 years, she says that we need to make fundamental and overarching changes and condescendingly dismisses the value of the new patio at the 'Dillo.

Jon Detzel also wrote about how dangerous and out of control tailgate was, how deceitful the administration was and how we need to change our behavior before Tailgate is taken away. I was at Tailgate for hours and saw nothing but good times for all and little to no dangerous behavior: just drinking, dancing, talking and throwing around some beer. I am thrilled that the administration in the end allowed us to be free in the parking lot. Unlike Detzel would say, Tailgate was fine and so was the administration's handling of it. And unlike Butler would say, for a lot of us, a new patio at the 'Dillo is exactly what this campus needs, and we are grateful to have it. Let's spend less time whining about vague and unfounded issues at Duke and with the administration, and start being thankful for the new patio, the new restaurant in the West Union, the new Great Hall and all of the other perks that make Duke so awesome.

Thanks, Sherouse, for speaking up for those of us who do not have problems with Duke and are tired of hearing people constantly whining about nothing.

Sonny Byrd

Trinity '08