On child care

Thank you for Nate Raymond's article on the need for campus childcare. However, I think it's important to clarify the role of Bunnell House. Bunnell House Early Childhood Lab School's primary function within the university is to provide rich observation and practicum experiences for university students studying early childhood education (ECE). In addition to ECE students, those studying other disciplines utilize the lab school to enhance their learning and understanding through observations and interactive activities with the children. Students from anthropology, journalism, education, linguistics, and psychology are among those who have used the lab school to complete assignments.

In order to provide an effective early childhood learning lab, it is imperative that the facility is a licensed, high quality, developmentally appropriate program for children. Bunnell House is all that with warmth, nurturance and abundant opportunities for the children's hands-on learning and discovery offered as well. Although service to children and families is our secondary purpose, indeed we walk the line between service and academic lab. When the lab school opened in 1991, it operated only during the fall and spring semesters and it reduced services on Friday afternoons. In order to accommodate the childcare needs of university staff, the lab school began staying open year round in the late 1990s. Currently, staff families make up roughly half of the families enrolled, with faculty and student families each making up about one quarter.

Although providing a year-round program is a genuine attempt to help meet the demand for childcare on campus, it is a long way from adequately addressing the need. The campus childcare issue is not only a parental issue, but also an academic issue. An expanded lab school, serving a wider range of ages and with hours that cover evening classes, would better meet the needs of the students and families who utilize our services.

Again, thank you for highlighting this important issue. I invite anyone interested in visiting the lab school to call 474-6393 and schedule a time to tour.

Respectfully,

Paige Vonder Haar
Director
Bunnell House Early Childhood Lab School

Shame on Smith

In response to Michael Smith, founder of the UAF Students for Life Organization: shame on you. Just because you are capable of having sex does not make you a valid or informed party in the women's rights or abortion rights discussion. Anyone can put a round peg into a round hole.

What does choice and women's statistics have to do with abortion you ask? Abortion rights are more than a medical procedure; it is about denying women the right to live as they choose. Have you ever been turned down for a job because you were pregnant?

Have you ever found out you were pregnant after being raped? No, you haven't. Men have enjoyed all of the rights women have had to fight for: the right to vote, the right to an education, the right to work and lastly, the right to choose what women do with their bodies! The right to choose symbolizes a woman's power.

Your second argument was that women use abortions as a form of contraception because they are not diligent enough with birth control, which you claim is "readily available." Contraception has not been available to the poor or oppressed in society (i.e. women), therefore your argument simply doesn't compute. Just because you were explained the "birds and the bees" and have access to contraception does not mean everyone else has been so lucky. Even women who have insurance are not assisted with contraception. Insurance companies pay for your Viagra but are not required to pay for women's birth control pills. You are so anxious to point your finger at women and women's organizations, but who is pointing the finger at our right wing government (and people like you) who tell us abortion is wrong but then won't provide us with the necessary contraception and education?

Your letter underscores the importance of having places like the Women's Center, who support decisions like Roe vs. Wade. If you have the right to tell me what I can or can't do with my body, then what do I get to tell you to do with your own body? Where does it end?

Naomi Horne
UAF Student