LETTERS/YOUR VIEW: Revisiting the Gen Req

To the Editor: The amendment was not just to suggest that "CUE re-examine the specific content of the four required courses," as stated in your article. The amendment, as we understood it, was to place every aspect of the proposal -- including a plan for evaluation of the new courses and experimental curriculum -- before the faculty again in December. Moreover, the amendment definitely did not include any statement to the effect that "CUE needs to ensure the four proposed course categories offer as much diverse material as does the General Requirement." In fact, there was considerable disagreement expressed at the meeting about what the proposed courses should cover. By no means was there a consensus that the proposed courses need to be broadened. A major reason for the acceptance of the amendment was that a large number of faculty thought the plan was presented prematurely and needs more thought before a final decision on implementation is made. Richard Schultz Biology Professor Eric Weinberg Biology Professor Applaud good deeds To the Editor: From the Center for Community Partnerships and Civic House to the Spruce Hill and Walnut Hill community associations, it is the vision of many Penn and University City friends that one day we will all take responsibility for our shared neighborhood. I do not believe, however, that anyone who spends any amount of time or money in order to better someone else's life should be criticized. And I see nothing implicitly negative in serving one's community. Indeed, there are many Penn students attending this institution on financial aid who tutor or work in local schools not because they "have more money" but simply because a teacher needs help with a class of 30 kids or a fifth-grader needs help with his math homework. Whether through Red Cross blood drives, date auctions for charity or the West Philadelphia Tutoring Project -- as long as there is a need there should be a means of meeting it. But whether a tenant of our school, part of a fraternity charter or a value that we hold personally -- we should spend less time glorifying service and more time actually doing it. Megan Davidson College '00 Civic House Steering Committee