Post 7: Unjust Claims

On October 4^th, the president of the Texas Aggie Conservatives, Justin Pulliam, posted a blog bashing the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) and an aggie DREAMer (a person who would qualify for the DREAM act if it is passed). The DREAM Act is a legislative proposal that would grant conditional permanent residency to undocumented people with good moral character and who graduate from US high schools or serve in the military. The Texas Aggie Conservatives are definitely anti-DREAM act and have worked against it in multiple ways such as the blog the president of the organization wrote.

In the blog, Pulliam claims the DREAMer could "go back to Mexico anytime she wants" to stop breaking the US law and be able to see her family. His evidence is that she is " now 20 years old, is an adult and has family in Mexico." His warrant is that "She is making the decision to stay in the United States on her own will." Although some may agree with Pulliam, I believe his reasonings are robotic and fails to include the human aspects.

Like a robot, his evidence and warrant only factors in theoretical probability. The human being brings in factors that robots cannot fathom. Even though she has family in Mexico, these are distant family members. The heart of Hispanic culture is founded on immediate family relationships. To have that heart ripped out at  the age of 20, would inflict massive amounts of emotional trauma. Making the decision to stay is not only the healthiest option for the DREAMer but it is also a no brainer. Growing up in the US, learning US history, and pledging allegiance to the American flag and what it stands for is what DREAMers treasure. They do not call the country of their birth home because it isn't.

Home is a place where you feel safe, it's a place where you grew up, a place that you love and cherish. If the US is that home, then who are we to eject them? Essentially rejecting their dreams, ambitions, talents, and their pursuit of happiness. Are we really so egocentric that we are not willing to give fellow human beings a chance at happiness too?

Post 6: University Email Alert

Did you know that by if someone finds out your TAMU email address they could get your local address, and permanent address?

Texas A&M University classifies information including name, UIN, local address, local phone number, permanent address, permanent phone number, email address, dates of attendance, program of study (college, major, campus), classification, degrees, honors, awards received, previous institution(s), and participation in recognized activities/sports as “directory information.” Meaning that this information is open to the public.

The consequences for having so much of our personal information are endless. For example, if you are being stalked, your stalker can easily find out where you live. Or if your credit card is stolen and the robber saw that you were wearing an A&M t-shirt (s)he can look you up on our directory and find out your address, including your zip code, so they can use your credit card wherever because they have that information.

Thankfully, this is an easy fix. Due to FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974), you can request that the University withhold your information from public disclosure. If you fill out the request form then only certain individuals and Texas A&M University officials will be provided this information about you as prescribed by FERPA.

Although your first reaction might be to want to withhold all of your information, restricting certain directory information could also be undesirable. Restricting information such as your name, program of study, or degrees received may prohibit your recognition for awards, receiving enrollment verifications, etc.

I find it strange that I didn’t find out this information until my second year at Texas A&M University. I believe the University should’ve let us know when we first enrolled as a student. It is of extreme importance that our school let us know what information they are actually keeping confidential and what information is public. So that we have the opportunity to ensure our privacy.