Separate support

Univ. students have the resources of a women’s center, but not under one roof.

Budget cuts strike again.

This time it’s for a women’s center. The Women’s Studies Student Organization held a demonstration on Monday to remind University President Michael Adams that a center is important for the student majority on campus.

Adams was to report about the state of a women’s center to University Council in November, but the meeting was cancelled. Now, administrators are citing budget cuts for the reason not to move forward.

That’s understandable. We applaud the WSSO for keeping Adams accountable, but asking for a new space isn’t feasible just yet. We suggest the University put aside some room for a center when women’s studies finally moves from the Benson Building in May.

In the meantime, support still can be found under separate roofs. Safe Campuses Now helps sexual assault victims, and Athens-Clarke County police offer self-defense classes.

The group should have a space to call its own, but it must work with what it has for now.

- Carolyn Crist for the editorial board

A brainy idea?

A rail between Athens and Atlanta is a great idea – but only in theory.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane – no, it’s the Brain Train!

In reaction to Thursday’s passing of House Bill 277 and moving one step closer toward creating a commuter rail system from Atlanta to Athens, we believe while good in theory, a legitimate system will never work.

Construction is estimated to last for at least 10 years and cost $350 million to $400 million dollars. But if there is one thing certain about construction, expect its cost to at least double.

How may stops would it have? Where will it meet MARTA in Atlanta? And most importantly, who would actually use it?

Aside from Georgia gamedays, when is there a time when enough people travel from Atlanta to Athens to even make this work? This train may only be convenient for people living in Fulton, Barrow or Gwinnett counties – and that might be pushing it.

Anyone else would have to drive to Atlanta or one of those places to meet the train.

Did we mention the price? Phoenix just opened a commuter rail that travels a little more than 15 miles and cost $1.4 billion dollars! Billion, with a B. We can only imagine what it will cost for a rail five times as long.

- Michael Fitzpatrick for the editorial board