Letters to the Editor

Slanted pool of applicants

To the Editor:

After having read Dan Gomez's complaints regarding the lack of conservative representation amongst Ivy League professors ("Taking a liberal slant in the classroom," The Daily Pennsylvanian, 9/22/03), and recalling an almost identical editorial written by fellow Republican David Copley last semester, I felt a need to point out a very simple logical flaw in these two perfect examples of right-wing propaganda.

Although the statistics lifted by Gomez may be accurate in their description of a professorial Republican shortcoming, he neglects to cite another key piece of data: the political affiliation of the pool of applicants to tenure-track positions. Although I could not find this information available on any Web site, I have a hunch that it would shed some light on Gomez's conservative conundrum.

I would expect to find not a disproportionate number of conservatives being turned away from professorships, but rather a disproportionate number of conservatives applying for these positions. Instead of "blaming" liberals for choosing a career in academia and polluting the minds of our nation's collegiate elite, perhaps Gomez should spend his time convincing conservatives to consider pursuing a Ph.D. instead of following the cash-paved path of MBA to Fortune 500 company.

Brian Larris School of Medicine Research specialist

Inappropriate heckling

To the Editor:

I attended the Penn versus Bucknell women's volleyball game ("Penn spikes Bison in five games," DP, 9/24/03). I applaud the Penn community for supporting the women's volleyball program. It's great to see fan participation and support.

In my opinion, however, the limits of acceptable fan behavior were exceeded by the "Superfans" highlighted in the article. The fact that two headlines and several lines of print were focused on fan behavior provides a hint that something borderline controversial was underway in the stands.

There is a certain etiquette associated with many sports. In volleyball, that etiquette has traditionally involved quiet during the serve. The Bucknell team endured heckling all evening with little, if any, complaint. It was not until the hecklers began yelling as the Bucknell players served that Bucknell coach Cindy Opalski and fans began to complain.

I agree with Penn coach Kerry Major Carr that some of this is part of traveling and competing on the road, but I'm a little disappointed that some official action was not taken. I concede that a quick review of NCAA volleyball rules showed no mention of regulating fan conduct, but I am aware of other situations in which fans have been given warnings for their actions.

Perhaps the game, and appropriate fan behavior, is evolving and my notion of etiquette is outdated. We can treat our volleyball contests like a basketball contest, where just about anything goes. What would be next? Should we start screaming when a tennis player serves or a golfer lines up a putt?

I'm looking forward to watching more volleyball matches this year, both in the Patriot League and the Ivy League, to determine if this level of fan enthusiasm has become a new dimension to women's collegiate volleyball.

Dave Lowe

Wharton '78

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