Letters to the Editor

Sales aren't talent

To the Editor:

I have had to read much dribble in The Daily Pennsylvanian as of late concerning how much this year's choice of band for the Spring Fling concert, Of a Revolution, is superior ("Opinion art," DP, 4/7/06) to last year's dismally attended Sonic Youth.

I can accept this criticism with an awareness of Penn's ideological makeup. However, Kate Baggot's recent opinion art demonstrates a prejudice that must be challenged. In this piece, she implicates that ticket sales, popularity and talent are interrelated. That talent can somehow be determined by the majority is, sadly, mistaken.

A band's popularity does not imply talent, but the ability to game the system -- a talent in and of itself, but not musically. Baggot's opinion art demonstrates this mistaken link between popularity and talent in a fundamentally insecure manner. If OAR were actually more talented than Sonic Youth, I doubt they'd feel the need to assert this authority by means of a "talent"-inscribed paddle.

David Nagdeman

Unequal access

To the Editor:

The Wharton School's Web site states: "The exchange of ideas among students and faculty from different backgrounds and perspectives creates a powerful environment for learning and leadership development." Given Wharton's current policy ("Sharing the wealth," DP, 4/10/06), it is difficult to believe that this statement is more than simply lip service.

The Dental School, the Medical School, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Fine Arts Department allow all students full use of their computing and study facilities.

Yet even when taking a Wharton class, College students are denied full use of Huntsman Hall facilities. When I took a Wharton class, I gained access to log on to Huntsman computers but remained unable to print or reserve a group-study room. Excluding College students from using Wharton facilities means refusing College students access to resources and knowledge.

There is increasing recognition among social scientists and business leaders alike that interdisciplinary approaches are essential to solving today's global issues. Business students stand to benefit from relationships with college students who study the world from a different perspective and vice versa.

With the opening of the Weigle Information Commons, I look forward to exchanging ideas with students from all disciplines and walks of life.

Julie Nusbaum

College senior

A sad loss

To the Editor:

As a third-generation alumnus of Penn, I am disappointed that we will be losing coach Fran Dunphy to Temple ("Dunphy announced as Temple's next coach," DP, 4/11/06). Dunphy has done a fantastic job at Penn, and it is a great loss to the basketball team and the Penn community as a whole.

And I am certain that Dunphy will continue to promote a better and stronger Big 5, as he has done throughout his tenure at Penn. So, in a way, we are not losing him completely.

I recall seeing Penn play in a tournament in the San Francisco Bay area (my home at the time) a few years ago, and Penn hosted a pre-game reception at which Dunphy spoke. As always, he displayed a commitment to Penn that was paralleled by few. He also displayed a respect and appreciation for the alumni that I know was much appreciated by all of us. This commitment to the Penn community will surely be missed.

I also recall an amazing 1998 victory over Temple at the Palestra when Temple was ranked in the Top 5. That is truly one of my best memories from college. What a transition that Dunphy will now take over at Temple.

I look forward to the naming of a new basketball coach, hopefully one who will display the same long-term commitment to Penn that Dunphy clearly possessed.

Noah Rosenthal

2000 College alumnus

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