College is a business. Students shell out the cash that, without which, this University would cease to exist. So, just when did the slogan, “the customer is always right,” get thrown out the window?

Imagine for a moment that you are a very studious and goal oriented student (as I’m sure all of you are). You know what classes you’ll take each semester, what graduate school you want to attend and, hell, you even know what you’re going to name your first child.

Who would ever imagine that the BUSI system and an unyielding bio-chem department could delay your plans by forcing you to stay in school an additional semester? No, this isn’t some pathetic melodrama I concocted in my head to keep you entertained; this is happening right now to your fellow underclassmen.

As we all know far too well, each department has degree requirements which need to be fulfilled in order to graduate. The bio-chem department has a genetics lab, which is only offered in the fall that each student is required to take. The BUSI system only allows fifteen people to register, with the remaining twenty-five spots open only through petition.

There are several senior bio-chem students who have not been allowed into the class, but students who are juniors and/or not bio-chem majors have been. The seniors pleaded with the professor for spots in the lab, but they were told “tough luck.” Basically, these kids may not graduate on time because the bio-chem department refuses to work around the problem.

Don’t you have a future ahead of you that doesn’t involve wasting away in Binghamton, N.Y.? It’s too bad the bio-chem department doesn’t care about it. Let’s all hope that the department comes to its senses and offers this lab in the spring.

Binghamton University’s Physical Facilities can find $3.2 million dollars to fix some leaks and beautify the Plaza deck, and allocate another $600,000 to put some plants in the peace quad, but it can’t find the funds to pay a grad TA to hold a lab section so students can graduate? This is ludicrous (and they even paid to bring him to campus)!

Before the University decides to pour money into the Events Center and flowers to attract students to Binghamton, why don’t we first put the money where it counts and take care of the students already here. A student’s education is more important than some stupid petunias, and if you can’t see that then you should not be in a position working for an institution that is supposed to prepare young adults for the world ahead.

Save us all the trouble and become a florist.