College Admissions

Reading this editorial in the Austin American Statesman really hit home simple due to the fact that it applies to everyone in our class that plans on transferring to a university. It was about how when students apply to a university there are several things taken into account when trying to get accepted. For example they state that under the law in Texas students who finish in the top 10 percent of their high school classes receive guaranteed admission to state-funded colleges and universities. Also if a student isn't in the top 10 percent race is looked at as a deciding factor when trying to diversify the campus. There has been a few cases in which schools (UT specifically) has been sued when a student isn't accepted. Some students feel that race shouldn't be used as a deciding factor in the weeding out process of applying students, i disagree. I think that it should be mainly based on grades but i also think the few students that are allowed to get in based on race and not apart of the 10 percent group are getting a opportunity they might not have been able to get. Whether it be race, grades or any other factor being used to determine admission someone is always gonna feel left out or done wrong if they don't get in. So i definitely agree with the author, a letter stating you weren't accepted try again later is enough to blame the system for you having to find alternative less desired schools.   

Dear Saint Valentine...

Happy Valentines Day government classmates! 2-14-12

Texas Prisons Running Low on Execution Drugs; Should this Information be Withheld from the Public?

In an article published in the Austin American Statesman, they talked about how prisons in Texas are running low on a primary drug used in executions. From what was said Texas only has enough of this medication to last them the next six months. But the main focus of the story isn't just necessarily about the shortage of "pentobarbital" its about the prison systems wanting to keep this information a secret. One of the biggest questions is should this be withheld from the public eye? And if so why would the prison system feel like this information could potentially be so threatening? What would this do to the public besides allow them to get a little insight on what is going on with executions in the state. I feel like if you live in a state that performs executions on a regular basis then you should be allowed see, ask, and understand the process on which these executions are carried out. Anytime you could be affected by a law or punishment i feel as if you shouldn't be limited on the access of information on it. The prison system did release its drug supplier and amount of current supply on hand two years ago after the Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said in his opinion "it was public information." The argument the prison system was making was that giving out this information would "trigger violent protests outside the execution chamber or embolden death penalty opponents." I strongly disagree with this! If people don't like something, they aren't gonna like it that much more being more knowledgeable on the topic. If there's already a certain amount of people against executions then i don't see what would really change having those people still disagreeing with it. Protesters will protest, thats what they do. People have the right to think and disagree on what they believe is wrong or right. But not having the opportunity to be educated on the situation isn't right and can led to people acting out and being violent from not being properly informed.