IDS neglects graduate, part-time, professional students

Regarding the staff editorial "School of Hard Knocks" (Oct. 17):\nThe IDS Editorial Board has completely lost touch with the student community. Their latest editorial, "School of Hard Knocks," just continues the clueless detachment exhibited in "Bloomington: Hella Poor" (Oct. 5). Both editorials derisively mock students who struggle to afford to live and study in Bloomington, comparing their hardship with being unable to afford coordinating Ugg boots and North Face jackets. "Hard Knocks" ignores key facts about graduate students' legitimate concerns, including the recent, severe hike in health care expenses under the University's plan. Maybe the Editorial Board should check the IU Fact Book -- they might learn that more than 22 percent of the students on the Bloomington campus are graduate or professional students and that more than 11 percent of students on this campus are part-time students. These students are as much a part of IUB as the Editorial Board, and their voices have every right to be heard. If the IDS wants to have any credibility with the campus community, the Editorial Board should try venturing beyond Ernie Pyle Hall and North Jordan Avenue. They might learn that there is more than one college experience in Bloomington.