OPINION
A watchdog for the Temple University community since 1921. Angelo Fichera, Editor-in-Chief Cara Stefchak, Managing Editor Sean Carlin, News Editor Zachary Scott, Opinion Editor
Luis Rodriguez, Living Editor Jenelle Janci, A&E Editor Joey Cranney, Sports Editor John Moritz, Asst. News Editor Ibrahim Jacobs, Asst. Sports Editor Lauren Hertzler, Chief Copy Editor Brandon Baker, Copy Editor Marisa Steinberg, Copy Editor Saba Aregai, Multimedia Editor Ryan Geffert, Multimedia Editor
temple-news.com
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Chris Montgomery, Web Editor Kate McCann, Photography Editor Abi Reimold, Asst. Photography Editor Joey Pasko, Designer Ana Tamaccio, Designer Darcy Stackhouse, Designer Laura Sutphen, Designer David Hamme, Advertising Manager Kathleen Smith, Business Manager Morgan Hutchinson, Marketing Manager
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2012
DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
The Temple News is an editorially independent weekly publication serving the Temple University community. Unsigned editorial content represents the opinion of The Temple News. Adjacent commentary is reflective of their authors, not The Temple News. Visit us online at temple-news.com. Send submissions to letters@temple-news.com. The Temple News is located at: Student Center, Room 243 1755 N. 13th St. Philadelphia, PA 19122
EDITORIALS
P
Identity crisis
ennsylvania Judge Robert Simpson ruled on Oct. 2 that voters in the upcoming election would not be denied if they did not fulfill the photo ID requirement outlined in the Pennsylvania voter ID law – at least in this election. The law, signed in March by Gov. Tom Corbett, would have required all voters to show a state-issued photo ID in order to have their vote counted. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court sent the case back to Simpson in the Commonwealth Court on an appeal. Simpson said in his ruling that he questioned whether there was sufficient time for voters to attain the necessary identification. As John Moritz reports on P. 1, the injunction postpones the implementation of the law until after the November elections, when it will be reviewed further on Dec. 13 during a Status Review with Counsel Conference. While The Temple News is relieved to hear the Pennsylvania voter ID law – a law that could have disenfranchised mi-
I
Invalid practice
n short, Temple’s decision to update Owl Cards was done in good faith. The new cards were issued in time to comply with the nowtemporarily derailed voter ID law, by adding an expiration date. Still, some haven’t put in the effort to receive their new IDs. The Temple News has applauded the university – specifically the Diamond Dollars office – for its painless process of issuing the new IDs. Those who haven’t received the new cards need to do it; it’s been nearly one month since the new IDs took effect. However, an incident last week showed a flaw in Temple’s communication process. When students flashed their old Owl Cards in Paley Library, students were rightfully denied access. But the security guard, acting under university direction, confiscated the old IDs before turning her badge, so as to mask her identity. If the old cards aren’t to be used, the university should have adjusted the process so that the
The recent injunction on the commonwealth’s voter ID law is a temporary victory. nority voters including students and members of the North Philadelphia community – will not be implemented in the upcoming election, we encourage students to not let the issue be forgotten like a subject absorbed just long enough to spill onto the pages of a midterm blue book. Simpson’s ruling is only a temporary victory in the fight against the Pennsylvania voter ID law. The right to ensure every voter is able to cast a ballot in future elections is still at risk. The Temple News supported Temple Student Government’s initiative toward redesigning and re-carding more than 45,000 students with Owl Cards to meet the expiration date requirement of voter ID law. We also continue to support state initiatives that push to distribute a valid form of photo ID to voters even though they aren’t required this election. Poll workers can ask voters for photo IDs in November, but cannot turn away qualified voters – or deny them their rights – if they don’t have one.
The university has poorly communicated its IDconfiscation policy. former IDs were exchanged for the new ones. Instead of confiscating IDs at buildings – which evidently makes for an adversarial interaction – Temple should instruct guards to simply turn students and staff away, and point them toward the path of receiving a new ID. And the guards should be reminded that their identity needs to be readily available, too. Captain Jeffrey Chapman of Campus Safety Services said Temple doesn’t want unauthorized people, such as expelled students, who possess the old IDs to have access to buildings. This argument is equally as flawed as the process itself: Students or staff who have received the new IDs may still fall under this category. The Temple News urges the university to rethink its strategy in terms of checking Owl Cards. The current process lacks common sense, much like the voter ID law.
PHOTO COMMENT
Coach Steve Addazio led the Owls to their win at Saturday’s homecoming game against South Florida. It was the team’s first game, and win, in the Big East since 2004. | TIMOTHY VALSHTEIN TTN
18%
Yes, they can provide a useful distraction.
26%
No, they just add another responsibility.
35%
Yes, nothing relieves stress more than petting a cute animal.
21%
Maybe, but it depends on what type of pet.
Letters to the editor may regard any current issue but must include your full name, position and location. Students can give year and major. Submissions should be 350 words or fewer.
*Out of 57 votes.
CITY VIEW
Philly’s federal grant breakdown In the financial quarter running from July 1 to Sept. 20, 2011 alone, the city of Philadelphia received 50 federal grants totaling $351 million. The money is divided into five sections. On the right, you can see what these categories are and how much each received.
ECONOMY & WORKFORCE
37.5%
($131.7 MILLION)
PUBLIC SAFETY ANA TAMACCIO TTN
Laura Ordonez
Visit temple-news.com to take our online poll, or send your comments to letters@ temple-news.com.
DO YOU THINK OWNING A PET CAN HELP COLLEGE STUDENTS DEAL WITH STRESS?
“The election in November
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GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?
POLLING PEOPLE
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
is not about choosing one man, but a complex set of relationships.
JOEY PASKO TTN
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE
18.6%
9.3%
($32.6 MILLION)
16.3%
($57.3 MILLION)
SUSTAINABILITY
($65.3 MILLION) SERVING THE MOST VULNERABLE
18.3%
($64.1MILLION) *Source: City of Philadelphia