Guest Submission: “Disorientation Guide” exhibits lack of restraint, potentially dangerous opinions

Some of you may have received a "Disorientation Guide" from the Peace and Justice League (PJL) recently. There are informative and helpful articles in the Guide, such as a brief description of student organizations and an enlightening article about the local Farmer's Market Schedule. However, we have specific problems with this guide as a "resource." Due to a lack of restraint in some articles, as well as anonymous opinions that could be seen as truth and have the potential to be outright dangerous, we believe it is vital to clear up some controversial opinions.

Most commuters and residents with cars on campus know that parking can often be frustrating.  But what bothers us is that an article titled "Parking @ UNH" begins with some legitimate concerns and ends abruptly by telling students to contact the Director of Transportation directly at home.  What disappoints us is that instead of having a legitimate argument against parking policy, the PJL insisted on publishing the director's home number and address.  By publishing this information the PJL invaded this administrator's family and private life. If you have a problem related to transportation, call the office immediately.  Furthermore, student body presidents past and present have worked on transportation issues with Director of Transportation Dirk Timmons. Regardless of any opposing opinions with student senate, Dirk Timmons works very hard and acts upon issues within the transportation department with members of student government. If we as the student body cannot interact with administrators using sound logic and clear arguments, but rather resort to petty harassment, our arguments are worthless.

Another article titled "Abortion Resources" provides some information about abortion procedures. However this information should be provided by, and is available at, UNH's Health Services.  What disturbs us is the misguided information at the bottom of the page under "Alternative Abortions," when the Guide suggested that a safe and effective form of abortion is done by: "Self-help techniques that empty the womb manually."  We spoke to students about what the PJL implied in that section, and students would ask if they meant using a clothes hanger. That kind of misinformation cannot be disseminated unaddressed.  We are not individuals who can professionally say what are safe and effective abortion procedures, but health professionals we have spoken to have stated that these are potentially dangerous techniques.  Unfortunately, some students may blindly follow the opinions that the PJL compiled and believe that they are 100 percent accurate and safe. We had to address these opinions for what they are—someone's opinions that are misleading and potentially life-threatening.

Students and organizations should feel free to express their opinions.  We simply want them to acknowledge that opinions are labeled as opinions and are not branded as absolute fact. 

Richard Peyser and Christina Caiazza are the Student Body President and Vice President at UNH.