Readers Write (Dec. 21): The campus environment, Minneapolis schools, MNsure, MnSCU, General Mills, President Obama, Ted Cruz, the season of giving

Good thing I was sitting down when I read about the University of Minnesota libraries' "relaxation spaces" ("Relax — it's finals time at the U," Dec. 18). Reeeaaaallly, areas on a university campus where studying is forbidden? Lego play tables, librarians doing reiki sessions, a roaming choir? Indeed.

I'm hard-pressed to comprehend how I ever got out of college without these perks. I ate stale sandwiches, drank the world's worst coffee, worked three-quarters time, carried a full courseload and graduated summa cum laude. My wife was an immense help, demanding hard work and excellence. And she left me to my own devices as to how to manage my stress. I walked a lot and played a lot of pool.

While I applaud the U's librarians for their creativity in addressing stress, this does seem a bit much in a paternalistic, New Age sort of way. What next? Areas on campus where students are protected from being confronted with ideas they find objectionable? Oh, wait …

The recent issues surrounding the Minneapolis Public Schools' superintendent search could easily have been avoided ("For Paez, contract talks on hold," Dec. 16). Once again, an elected body, responsible for governance, has failed its obligation to the public. Had members of the school board spent more time working their own contacts and asking the right questions, a better understanding would have been obtained of both the chosen candidate and his background. Apparently, they chose to sit back and rely on someone else to do their vetting.

Now the unintended consequences will be forthcoming, negatively impacting the school board, the school district and the candidate. Another sad commentary on big-city public education.

The writer is a former school board chairman.

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I'd hazard to guess that my fee would be substantially less than what the district has already paid. School board members, feel free to contact me.

The Star Tribune editorial "Set firm deadlines for MNsure buyers" (Dec. 16) claimed that deadline extensions this year were not due to website glitches, and the Editorial Board called for ending the extensions. I have enrolled for health insurance via MNsure since the start of the state's online marketplace three years ago. The first year, after applying immediately when enrollment opened, I was not able to secure insurance until February due to website and process glitches, even though I worked diligently to resolve them. Last year, again applying immediately when enrollment opened, I was able to secure insurance by the very end of December and was eligible for insurance in January. The enrollment extensions gave me time to resolve the website and process glitches that prevented me from securing insurance.

This year, for the first time, it took only four days to enroll in insurance through MNsure, but that does not mean the website and process glitches are resolved for all who apply. MNsure administrators should know if people are still having issues with enrollment and should offer extensions as needed to allow all who apply access to insurance, which is so vital to their health and financial well-being. At the same time, administrators should continue their efforts to resolve all glitches in the process.

Rochester Community and Technical College President Leslie McClellon announced her resignation this week after faculty members, students and others had expressed frustration with her negativity, lack of communication and excessive unnecessary spending ("College leader is resigning her post," Dec. 18).

So what does Steven Rosenstone, the chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, do? He appoints McClellan as the senior development director for the entire MnSCU system.

General Mills' second-quarter performance fell short ("General Mills' sales take a hit," Dec. 18), and executives scratch their heads. Even the yogurt business was down, and snacks, as well. Perhaps they should try reducing levels of sugar and salt in their product lines.

Some Americans are indeed getting more health-conscious, given the increased incidence of heart disease and diabetes and the increasing cost of health care. A walk down the grocery aisle in most stores offers only high-sugar and/or high-sodium options, across virtually all product lines.

Lax promotion is just a lame excuse for poor performance, and new packaging won't resolve the problem, either. I have walked out of stores in frustration, without any purchases, on more than one occasion. But then that's just me (but I doubt it).

Of his 95 year-end pardons and commutations, President Obama announced that he has commuted the sentences of 24 felons convicted of selling crack cocaine. In his news conference, he said he determined that these people deserved "a second chance." A second chance to sell more crack cocaine?

I don't understand the hullabaloo over Ted Cruz. He caused the shutdown of the government and is against any progress made in the past years. Help is on the way (what does that mean?), we have more jobs than qualified people, we have money in the bank, we're doing great! What I'd really like to know is how a Canadian can run for president?