Everyone should have access to resources

People without a home may have found a home at Purdue University. Recently there have been some anonymous complaints that homeless people and non-Purdue students have been using our libraries for their own personal gain. Though some of the complaints deal with the offensiveness of looking at Internet pornography in these public spaces, why are these non-Purdue students worthy of scorn and complaint?

Probably because of that strange inborn fear of the homeless and impoverished. It's easy to fall into the trap of discriminating against someone who clearly doesn't have our sort of luxuries.

And it does seem like it isn't fair, doesn't it?

I mean, we're all paying thousands of dollars a year to attend a Big Ten university, and they get to use it for free.

But hang on a second, when did this become an us/them issue? Aren't the impoverished people, too? Legally, Purdue has no right to force non-students out of its libraries, as it is funded with state money. And shouldn't it be this way?

Who really wants to flash their ID card to a library bouncer just to get some studying done?

The institutions provided by this University are not a private toy box; we have to share. And shouldn’t we?

Universities were founded on the principles of exchange of knowledge and ideas. Especially in a public university, these ideas should be paramount.

Who better to utilize the libraries to better themselves than the homeless? Those who life has already dealt many difficult lessons.

So no, it's not "creepy," it's a chance for those other than ourselves to better themselves, even if it's just with entertainment or shelter from the elements.

And if even the lowest classes of society can use our materials, that also means others can, too. Anyone is free to browse our books and use the area for quiet reflection and study, or even walk our campus.

n Editorial Board: Keith Thomas, Tom McHenry, Erica Sagon, Matt Poston, John Wakefield.

Nation’s diversity deserves respect

Old problems need new solutions

Everyone should have access to resources

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(765) 743-1111 ext. 256

Opinions editor:
Tom McHenry

To send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org

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