I read with interest the editorial written by Randall Heins published in the March 5 edition of The News and was surprised with the situation.

While it is understandable students are frustrated about not getting on-campus housing, Northeastern, like many campuses in the region, has a demand that exceeds the supply of available accommodations. Solution: apply for on-campus housing early, or look at other options like living off-campus, commuting, etc. But to imply the department of Residential Life “sucks” is rather inappropriate. I worked for the department of Residential Life as a security proctor at my time at Northeastern in the mid 1990s, and can say that the men and women of the department did indeed do a fine job and were highly professional. They provided students decent accommodations (they’re even better now then in my day), a staff that often served as mentors and a safe environment that areas off-campus could not offer.

I think that Heins needs to learn that if you disagree with something or feel cheated (as he indicates from the tone of his editorial), putting up a sign that says something “sucks” really does not get the message across. As someone who has been in the “real world” for a few years and can give a commentary of what to do: contact the administration, write a letter to the director of residence or simply pick up the phone. By taking the initiative to solve a problem, you can use diplomacy rather then just saying “this sucks.” The Beavis and Butthead era has long since ended.

– John Dunn is a graduate of the class

of 1996 from the College of

Arts and Sciences.