I would like to point something out.

A school's mascot is just that, it's a mascot. It is not intended to be a term to refer to all students, nor is it intended to be a general term used when addressing all members of a particular institution.

For example, at Harvard I am certain that graduation speakers do not greet the graduating class with the statement "Hey there Crimson!"

For at least the 300th time this year I opened my Saint Mary's email and was once again irritated to see an e-mail that ended, "Thanks Belles." Now, not all e-mails end, "Thanks Belles," but many of them begin "Hey Belles," or contain "Hang in there Belles," "We can work through this together Belles," and, my favorite, "Go Belles."

Now, it is important to point out here that I am not advocating the removal of Belles as Saint Mary's mascot, nor am I saying that I am embarrassed to be a Saint Mary's student. What I am saying is that I just can't take reading anymore e-mails that make constant use of the term Belles. Isn't there anything else we can be called?

As far as I can tell, I am a 22-year- old college senior and, unless I am mistaken, that should point to the fact that I'm at least in the age bracket of adulthood, if not always there by maturity. However, the constant barrage of "Hey Belles" makes me feel about as old as the preschoolers my mom teaches.

What happened to addressing e-mails "Dear students?" Not everything at Saint Mary's has to be blatantly rah-rah. In fact, as far as I'm concerned, the ongoing need to refer to the Saint Mary's student body as "Belles" seems to decrease our respectability.

I would not mind the occasional use of the word Belles in e-mail. In fact, in e-mails advocating school spirit — like Midnight Madness e-mails or e-mails supporting our athletic teams — I think it is quite appropriate. However, it is entirely ridiculous to use "We can do this together Belles" in e-mails discussing the Saint Mary's alcohol policy, the cancellation of classes or the discussion of parking lots.

In that vein, I'm pretty sure that next on the list of ways to encourage Belles are "Eat your broccoli Belles," "Get eight hours of sleep Belles" and "Brush twice a day Belles."

Some people, at least, have tried to change things up a little, including closings like "May the force be with you." Now mind you, it's not a brilliant literary ending, but it sure was different. And it certainly didn't make me want to scratch my eyes out.

General information e-mails can be addressed to students, not Belles. The word Belles does not define each of us entirely, so an attempt to address us as something else would be greatly appreciated.

• Hey Belles