When I read Paul Day's March 17 Viewpoint, I felt threatened. How could Day be so affected by other people that he would suggest the implementation of a "Don't be gay" slogan modeling the "Just say no" campaign for teenage drug use? Homosexuality is a sensitive issue for people. Shoving a sensitive issue like homosexuality around as if it were dirty laundry is rude and offensive toward any human being, regardless of sexual orientation. If Day is unsatisfied with the level of "Catholic-ness" at this university then I think he has spent too much time in the basement of Johnston Hall.

This should give Day ample time to walk over to the Alumni Memorial Union and God forbid witness several hundreds of students zealously involved in many organizations. I challenge Day, if he can "break through the wall," to continue into the Union enough to walk up to University Ministry. I will testify under oath that the vibe radiating from that place is stronger than any mortar so carefully placed between the bricks of our campus' beautiful buildings. The people working there represent the highest level of "Catholic-ness" that I have ever seen. If there is any physical place Marquette University is rooted, it is in the hearts of those working so tirelessly from University Ministry to reach out to the student body.

Our world is not so simple, which is why we Catholics have the symbol of the cross. Jesus let his body be nailed to a cross to save us from sin. Why anyone would have to go through that torture in order to save the world can be a very complicated issue. Such gray areas prevail in most life situations, something Marquette recognizes and seeks to prepare students for. From choosing a school to questioning why people act the way they do, perhaps there is no greater need to rely on an exemplary Marquette education than now.

Amen, Paul. You have chosen the right school after all.

Megan Ivers is a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences.

This viewpoint appeared in The Marquette Tribune on April 5 2005.