What's the big deal about a plaque anyway?

I know that many times when I've walked on campus, I've seen a plaque displayed predominately on the side of a building (think Humanities) or not so predominately on the inside. (There's got to be one inside of Ekeley somewhere, right?)

Most times, I never stop to read the plaque for two reasons.

First, who cares to read a blurb about some old benefactor of the university that donated a bunch of money so we could have a new library ( Guggenheim) or pulled the university through probably the darkest time of American history ( Norlin)?

They were important figures to the university, but if you are any kind of scholar, natural curiosity probably pushed you to learn about them your first few weeks at CU. Also, you could learn a lot more about them from a history book than a plaque.

Second, I have to get to class. I don't have time to stop and read the bronzed wording, especially when there is snow on it. Reading plaques is for old folks who stroll about on campus all day without a care in the world. I have to hurry up and get a good seat so the professor will know when I'm displeased.

That's why this UCSU plaque thing is silly.

No one stops to read them, generally. I've never walked by a group of hacky-sackers and saw them reading about how the humanities building was built in a certain year at a certain cost for a certain reason.

The wording on the plaque was changed from "when the state of Colorado would not" to "when traditional sources of funding were limited" at the zero hour. A UCSU Tri-Exec told the Colorado Daily that the wording was changed to, in a sense, keep discourse civil between your student government and then state government. Unfortunately, it seems like the state couldn't care less if CU's law school loses accreditation because of a dilapidated building.

So why did the Tri-Execs and UCSU try so hard to play nice when the state won't?

Nobody knows the answer to that question, but it was probably because changing the plaque was the lowest common denominator for retaining what little semblance of power the Tri-Execs can wield.

Future generations of students at CU should know that the students before them paid hundreds of dollars more a semester in fees so that they could have newer buildings. We'll pay that burden, plus interest, on student loans long after this group of UCSU senators is gone.

The problem with the plaque is that future generations will love to hacky-sack.

Events

Here are a few things to do on campus and around Boulder this weekend. You know you don't want to study.

-The International Film Series will present Cave of the Yellow Dog at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Feb. 2 in Muenzinger E050. The film transports you to the gassy plains of Mongolia, where a nomadic family struggles to hold onto their ancient traditions in the face of encroaching modernity. Tickets are $5 for the public and $4 for students with a valid ID and are available at the door.

-The CU men's basketball team will take on nationally ranked Oklahoma State at 2 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Coors Events Center. The men are struggling really badly and are in need of some cheering and support, so head on down to the CEC. I bet you'll find a really good seat. Tickets are $11.50-$33.50 and are available at www.cubuffs.com.

-The 12th Annual Distinguished Archaeology Lecture will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 3 in Hale 270. Margaret Conkey directs the Archaeological Research Facility at UC Berkeley, and her lecture will include a short video and slides, including images of remarkable cave paintings from France dating back as far as 32,000 years that depict rhinos, bears, lions and horses. The lecture is free and open to the public.

-The Boulder Public Library will present The Cameraman at 7 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Boulder Public Library, 1000 Canyon Blvd. After becoming infatuated with a pretty office worker at MGM Newsreels, Buster trades in his tintype operation for a movie camera and sets out to impress the girl (and MGM). Free. For more information, call 303-441-3197.

-There will be an "All the World's a Stage" fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Boulder Theater, 2032 14 th St. The fundraiser will feature West End Entertainment's James DeBrito, Law and Order star Jesse L. Martin; actress Rosario Dawson, who starred in Rent, Men in Black II, Alexander and Sin City; and stand-up comedian Tom Kenny, who is best-known as the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants. Tickets are $25 and are available at www.bouldertheater.com.

News

-The Campus Press, back in the swing of things after the winter break hiatus, has a couple of stories you might like, one about CU students refurbishing a trailer and the other about how Ralphie IV is retiring from his running days.

-The Rocky Mountain News has more about the CU student who is in a New York hospital with injuries he sustained during a fight on the Hill.

Have a good week. It's going to be a cold few days, so bundle up!