This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Family violence is a subject many of us do not discuss and even fewer understand. It's a subject to which Dr. Sonia Salari, a nationally recognized research professor at the University of Utah, has devoted herself. Unlike many researchers, Salari can be found at the lectern educating those fortunate enough to have her class, which attracts a diverse and eclectic group of students.
Many this term are attending on athletic scholarships. I am disgusted by the sense of entitlement some star athletes exhibit, particularly many on the current football roster. Most arrive late, strolling in without a care in the world. They can be found eating, texting, listening to their media of choice (using earbuds, of course) or lying across their desktops for a much-deserved nap! Sadly, their behavior is so disruptive the professor sometimes loses her train of thought.
It's been enlightening to see the lack of academic dedication and blatant disrespect exhibited by those in the athletic department at our state's flagship university! It seems we would be better served to offer those scholarship funds to students who value education and demonstrate academic abilities and appropriate classroom etiquette.
Cindy Powell
Salt Lake City