LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: 'Breakdown' angers majors

To the Editor: In addition, communications students focus on their professional interests by choosing a concentration within the major. These "clusters" consist of five classes from varied faculties and are grouped under the titles Behavior, Commerce and Culture. This system reflects the interdisciplinary nature of media work, allowing students to take relevant classes from several departments. Students wishing hands-on training in the classroom may be best served by trade schools and community colleges. But those students seeking a well-rounded, career-focused liberal arts program find it at Annenberg. The story's author mentions the "immense popularity" of the major; clearly there is a demand for the unique program that the school offers. Rebecca Anhang College '98 To the Editor: I thought the article "Communication Breakdown" (34th Street, 2/1/96) was very unfair. The theoretical focus of the communications major has never been a hidden agenda. The Annenberg School for Communication does, however, recognize the importance of bridging the gap between academic studies and the professional setting by giving its students the chance to do an internship for credit, an option not given to most liberal arts majors at Penn. The doors of the high-caliber faculty of the Annenberg School are open to any student who shows initiative. Any student who wants individualized attention does have the option of doing an independent study. Also, less time should be spent whining about the treatment of the "kings and queens" (graduate students) and complaining about assigned grades. These graduate students have given me valuable insight into potential career paths and interesting perspectives on my thesis topic. Communications majors have the opportunity to benefit from much of the money brought into Annenberg, but generally choose not to tap into these resources. Students can gain access to the archives for their research and use the on-site library. Over the past two years, I have assisted in faculty research on the media's role in the health care debate and the influence of talk radio. As a senior psychology and communications major, I have found the communications advising system much more effective and efficient. The communications major allows me to choose a faculty advisor who shares my interests, while the psychology major forces me to meet with the undergraduate chair to get my registration block removed. I am satisfied with my education because I have studied what I enjoy while utilizing the amazing resources of the Annenberg School. My theoretical education has challenged me to think creatively and critically. The "mechanics" of my career can be taught at any of a number of places. Further, I do feel confident as I prepare to move into the work world because I have supplemented my coursework with a good internship experience. Rita Ventresca College '96 ROTC students react To the Editor: "I am an American, fighting in the forces which protect my country and its way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense." This statement is the first code of conduct for men and women who serve in the United States Armed Forces, a statement of admirable commitment to a worthy cause. This letter comes as a response to your editorial "A call to arms," (DP, 1/31/96). In September of 1994, members of the University Council proposed a policy that would withdraw several benefits that the University currently provides to the Army and Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps units. Recently, opinions suggesting the removal of ROTC units from campus appeared in the DP. A handful of individuals with grievances against the U.S. military's policy regarding homosexuals has chosen the University's ROTC program as an accessible platform to publicize its opinion. A minority group is oversimplifying a multifaceted debate, attempting to sway a majority through a biased broadcast of a single element. The inflamed parties fail to acknowledge the complexity of the situation, which includes all of the positive results of hosting ROTC programs on campus. The ROTC units make community contributions such as regular blood drives, University City High School tutoring, food donations to the area's homeless and presentation of the national colors at athletic events. The only people affected by placing sanctions on the ROTC program would be ROTC students and the civilian support staff. Both groups would be harmed. These sanctions amount to "flagrant discrimination." If students and faculty object to the military's policy against homosexuals, they should state a case against the policy makers of the federal government, not ROTC units with no voice in national policy. Men and women in the University's ROTC program are not here explicitly as midshipmen or cadets, they are also students. This University's midshipmen and cadets do not participate in ROTC solely as a financial means to obtain an Ivy League education. The students who participate in ROTC do so out of a desire to serve in the defense of this great nation which is our home. The resolution of this matter does not rest in the hands of the University's special interest groups. It rests in the hands of the Supreme Court, members of Congress and the president of the United States of America. These appointees and representatives elected by majority vote will continue to set forth the policies by which we abide, including our "call to arms." Gregory Saybolt Naval ROTC Engineering '99 Kevin Osborne Naval ROTC College '99 Graham deserves better To the editor: I understand that when people are athletes they subject themselves to certain levels of critique; especially when they play a sport like basketball. But after reading Nick Hut's column "Graham did Penn a favor by leaving" (DP, 2/1/96) I was extremely shocked. I never thought Graham was that great of a player, nor did I ever feel like he always gave 100 percent every night. But I think that Hut was completely unjustified in his column. Graham wasn't the greatest player; he never claimed to be. He didn't play his heart out?but he did play (which is more than this so-called Hut can say). When he realized that he was no longer having fun, he left. Good for him. He's just a kid. We all are. We all make mistakes. In this case, Graham owned up to his. He deserves a chance to walk away quietly, not go out in disgrace. He deserves more than Hut's column. He doesn't deserve to be attacked in front of the whole campus. It's just not right. Josh Kronenberg College '99