LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Joel ticket distribution system irks students

To the Editor: Connaissance's creation of a profit opportunity was the only immoral act, for it allotted tickets not to those who showed they deserved them -- not by working for them, but arbitrarily. It might not be "fair" that the "haves" are exploiting the "have-nots," but free enterprise is not to blame. Connaissance's choosing to ignore free enterprise and the profit motive is what caused this "unfair" situation. I'm sure that if Connaissance had made students stand in line for tickets (possibly for several hours for the best tickets) there would be less exploiting of the "have-nots." This way those who did not have the time to stand in line could compensate those who did but did not want to go to the show. An equal exchange and efficient allocation would follow thanks to the profit motive and the free enterprise system. Guilherme Roschke College '97 n To the Editor: Connaissance recently raffled off tickets to see Billy Joel speak and perform at the University, in conjunction with voting for student government? I was excited to find out last week I had won. But tickets had to be picked up between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. last Tuesday and Wednesday, a full week before the actual concert, and I have class and work during the vast majority of these two time windows. Last Tuesday after class, I waited for tickets. I brought books for my next class, but class arrived before my turn in line (after a full half-hour wait). I decided I would try again later, and vowed to get tickets the next day. But Wednesday brought more complications. On top of having class at 11 a.m., I had to catch a train home for the Jewish holidays. I went to the line at 11 a.m. to pick up my tickets. I waited for another half hour, when I was forced to leave to make my train. I called Connaissance and asked if a friend could pick up tickets with my PennCard. They said that that was no problem, so I left for home, and my friend waited for the tickets. However, the line once again stood stagnant, and he, too, was forced to choose class over Billy Joel. Upon hearing Thursday morning that he had not gotten the tickets, I called Connaissance. I was told somebody would get back to me that day, but I received no phone call that day or the subsequent day, and was forced to call again. When I made my phone call, I was told everybody was "gone for the day" or "out of the office." I was told to call again Monday. When I called on Monday, I received a different greeting. Concerned and worried about the state of my tickets, I asked why nobody had returned my call. I was responded to rudely, and told that my tickets had been given away, even though I had been assured previously that I would be called before any action was taken on them. Incredulous, I called the director of Connaissance. Explaining my problem once again, I was informed that nothing could be done. Although he gave me his sympathies, I received no tickets. I find it strangely frustrating that I have been penalized in this fashion. Because I decided to put school and my religion ahead of Billy Joel, I cannot go to the concert. I understand that Connaissance said that tickets not picked up would be redistributed; yet, I find it hard to believe that I am being punished for noncompliance with Connaissance and their protocol. The answer I got is that it was out of the director's hands. That is a scary thought. Whitney Goldstein College '97 Indifference to crime at other Ivies To the Editor: Deciding not to do my homework, I elected to peruse The Dartmouth online. Since there was a link to the DP, I decided to check out what was happening in Quakerland. Your online newspaper is interesting and quite funny -- specifically, the article about a bullet flying through a window ("Bullet pierces student's window," DP, 4/5/96). Firstly, the idea that bullets routinely fly around the Penn campus was quite humorous. Second of all, the detective work by Kim Morales, the student whose window was struck, was quite fascinating. Her explanation that "the Full Moon" was the cause makes me wonder about how crime is perceived by the Penn student body. I almost decided to go to Penn and hold a soft spot in my heart for the University. But I suppose being in the great Northern woods has made me unaccustomed to the daily perils that you folks in the fifth-largest city in America face. Living in West Philadelphia must be fun, in the fact that it is a daily adventure. I remember that as I walked down Locust Walk, I couldn't help but think of Will Smith. I suppose I am just surprised by how nonchalant Penn students seem to be about crime. For example, here at Dartmouth we have nine blue light phones on the entire campus. I think they are just blue lights with no operational phones -- no one knows, because no one has ever used them. With a security force that drives green minivans, Dartmouth is fairly relaxed. However, I am surprised at how lax the people of Penn seem to be about crime, when there is so much of it. My point is that the extremes of living cause the same reaction -- namely indifference. Rajat Soni Dartmouth College '99