Letters to the Editor
Dedication noticed with new schedule
With regards to the new academic schedule, I quite agree that there has been an added intensity to classroom material as well as syllabus schedules.
I’ll admit, the new schedule has not made life easy. If I had any free time before, I have none now.
But I have noticed increased dedication and effort put forth by each and every student up here. As a result, BYU‑Idaho has become a place of greater learning in just the last couple of months.
I believe that the change was inspired. This does not mean that it will be easy for us or the instructors up here.
It will require effort, sacrifice, determination and discipline. But I believe that it will be worth it.
BYU‑I is meant to be a Disciple Preparation Center, and, as such, its training should be intense. The added intensity will only build and strengthen the students here.
In the end, the effort and sacrifice will be well worth the sacrifice. 
Jessica Withers
sophomore
Blackfoot, Idaho
Students can succeed outside Dance Alliance
When the Dance Department created Dance Alliance as its new touring company, many of the students who enjoy various forms of dance on this campus were shocked with what seemed to be a rash decision.
Many had their reservations, but quietly watched to see if all of the promises that were made would come to pass.
Many watched with dismay during Extravadance as this supposedly elite / superior
touring group bumbled their way through middle-school choreography with poor technique, showing us that Dance Alliance was nothing more than mediocre at best.
This past weekend the ballroom part of Collegiate Dancers, along with the Latin Formation Team from the Ballroom Society, went and competed at the Snow Ball Classic in Canada. Both teams received first place, showing that students on this campus can excel when they are allowed to.
Hopefully, the Dance Department will see that when students at this campus are allowed to pursue specific interests, with the proper coaching, excellence can be achieved.
Josh Roehl
senior
Arlington, Wash.
Scroll should never condone breaking laws
In Matthew 22, Christ is being asked if it is lawful to pay tribute to Caesar. His answer is found in verse 21 that you give to Caesar what is his and you give to God what is His.
Basically not only are you to live the gospel and the principles found in it, but you are to also live the laws of the land. As students of BYU‑Idaho, we sign the Honor Code in which we commit to living the principles of the gospel, which include obeying, honoring and sustaining the law
as found in Article of Faith 12.
I find it inappropriate that it be suggested by the Scroll that we are better off breaking certain laws of the land [jaywalking]. We are never better off breaking the law because by doing so we break the principles of the gospel.
Unfortunately, there are many bad drivers here and just as many bad bike riders and just as many bad pedestrians. If only we would all do our part in obeying the laws, we would all be much safer. I for one will continue to drive slower, stop at crosswalks and even walk the 10 extra feet to get to the crosswalk.
Marlena Dustin
junior
Bone, Idaho
Rent increase leaves one student stymied
I am absolutely reeling with the demands of the new schedule.
Not in the classroom—my professors have trimmed their course schedule adequately.
What has me burned is the reaction to this new schedule by the apartment owners. While students are staying in apartments nearly a month less than semesters past, rent has drastically increased.
Why is this?
Because apartment owners can get away with it.
While Title IX affords the school some control over the housing it chooses to approve for its students, it cannot have a say in what our landlords charge for rent. Rent has therefore increased more than 65 percent in many places nearly overnight.
Because of the total restriction of students to this short list of overpriced housing while matriculating on campus, our wallets are gouged.
Meanwhile, the administration insists it is trying to reduce the relative cost of education as the school grows.
As it stands, the only way single students have out of this monstrous paradox is marriage. I hope and suggest the administration look at this situation as an opportunity to grow as a university and stop the landlords from pillaging the student body.
Perhaps offering unfurnished housing to single students should be considered, among other solutions. We have an economist leading our institution, a man I have a profound respect for.
There has to be a way, President Clark, to create a little more competition in this town and control the fattening wallets of the landlords.
Josh Donat
senior
Snohomish, Wash.
Rock opera request
I am, of course, aware of the veritable smorgasbord of pressing issues and concerns of the utmost importance currently being debated by the strapping young minds at BYU-Idaho.
However, I am not writing in regards to any of those significant subjects.
I have felt in times past, and continue to feel in times present, that few natural forces in our world live up to the overwhelmingly thunderous awesomeness of heavy metal and the opera.
And continuing with that remark, my thoughts have always been of the persuasion that two such forces should never, at any given moment, be torn asunder.
I am, therefore, suggesting that someone, with the required talents (myself not meeting the standards) should take it upon themselves to orchestrate an original BYU-Idaho rock-opera of epic proportions, lighting effects and breathtaking pyrotechnics.
My only stipulations are as follows: A. Lyrics should make mention of dragons, vikings, spikes and good versus evil; B. Participants should have wickedly long hair, bulging muscles and really cool guitars; C. The awesomeness of said rock-opera should be awesome beyond any previous achievement in the field of awesomeness.
Matt Ternus
junior
Blackfoot, Idaho
