Word: grates
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Further into the semester, however, student and administrator enthusiasm returned to pre-grate levels. "Once the grates were removed, the outrage disappeared and the students stopped caring," says Undergraduate Council Chairman Brian C. Offutt '87, a Leverett resident. "It became a non-issue...
Still, there is also a considerable amount of caring, concern, and positive action on the part of many Leverett residents directly resulting from the grate incident. Also, I in no way view the issue as "silly" or minor...
MISDIRECTED AND IRRELEVANT: these are the two bests terms to describe the recent controversy over the Leverett House steam vents. Those who criticized the installation of the grates over the vents seem to feel that the grate issue is symptomatic of widespread disregard for the needs of the homeless; but the fact that controversy was generated over the issue at all is the real indication of a general insensitivity to the homeless's real problems...
Nearly everyone involved in the Leverett House grate incident would agree with Ms. Martin's underlying theme that the general problems of homelessness and student security are the central issues of the controversy. My differences lie with the inconsistency of Ms. Martin's arguments and the manner in which she portrays the problem as a "no-win situation", adding that "something must be sacrificed, either the vents for the homeless or the [question of] students' security." This attitude creates an "us vs. them" scenario that leads to nothing more than callous treatment of the homeless...
Without question, the homeless should be allowed to sleep on the grates behind Leverett House, and the University's decision to bar them is repugnant. However, the general outcry that has ensued is both self-righteous and insipid. The homeless crisis requires tough answers and sacrifice. The real question is not one of steam vents, but of our responsibility. Are we responsible for the homeless? If we are truly committed to the homeless then we must raise taxes to build low income housing. We must supply halfway houses and counseling services. We must supply job training and job opportunities...