Letters to the Editor

Giving back To the editor: In response to Jeff Millman's opinion piece (" Juggling form and academic function," The Daily Pennsylvanian, 1/24/03), we are addressing his comments about students as future alums. As chairs of the Senior Gift Drive, we are undergraduates who, along with a student committee, do this out of love for Penn. This isn't the University's Senior Gift Drive. Like Jeff, when we first heard about it, we wondered why Penn needed our money. The reasons are simple. Our tuition only covers 70 percent of the cost of attending this University. Generous alums cover the other 30 percent. Every student that attends this school, whether on financial aid or not, is able to attend because of these individuals. Penn's gifts also help maintain the excellent faculty and facilities on this campus. Without this support, Penn could not be as competitive and academic as it is. One of the reasons why we are fourth in the country is because of the U.S. News and World Report alumni satisfaction rating, which is measured by the number of people who give back to the University. We can help make Penn more recognizable and competitive simply by giving back. So what part does the Senior Gift Drive play? We are building the Class of 2003 Terrace on 36th Street and Locust Walk. Without the dollars we raise, this project would take money out of the budget for financial aid and academia. By giving, you free up these dollars for financial aid, our faculty and our facilities. It also counts toward the alumni satisfaction rating in the U.S. News and World Report. These factors help all of us. We truly believe that we DO owe Penn for the experience that we have received. We hope that the rest of our class now understands why giving back is so important. Nikki CyterCollege '03 Becky HashimCollege '03 Joe ManginiWharton '03 Seeking out attention To the editor: I found Eliot Sherman's recent column (" Stay out of my faith," DP, 1/30/03) disturbing. Its implicit stance reflects a somewhat commonly held notion that Christians with the audacity to discuss their faith in public are weak-minded simpletons and unacceptable nuisances who harass the general public and invade privacy. I would like to suggest that this view is not the product of the open, egalitarian nature that Sherman and other proponents project, but rather unreasonable bigotry. Being overly cynical is an easy way to appear clever while not actually taking a position. In fact, it seems the only definite position Sherman took in his column was "Don't bother me, it's none of your business." He may have a point. What were these people doing at his door on a Monday night? No one else does this, unless you count the fraternities promoting their parties, or performing arts groups soliciting for auditions or attendance at a show, or people advocating Alternate Spring Break, etc. As for being "harassed" on the Walk, it's true that one can sometimes find Christians (and Amnesty International reps, Indian dance groups, Penn Democrats, Penn Republicans, pro-choice advocates, Open Minds or the Philomathean Society) there. I've belabored the point enough, but I do think it is important to point out that many people have groups, issues or ideas that they feel strongly about. Often, they feel strongly enough that they approach others, seek out attention on the Walk or have a big event on College Green. Why? Because they think it is important enough that those who might be tempted to otherwise ignore it will stand up, take notice and come to a reasonable stance. Christians feel strongly that your belief and understanding regarding the person and work of Jesus Christ is important. And they may talk to you about it. If so, don't freak out. If you don't want to talk about it, tell them so. But I would encourage you to ask a few questions, and find out why they cared enough to bring it up in the first place. You may not find their response as superficial as Sherman suggests. David FrerichsEngineering '03

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