Letters to the editor

Author: [no author name found]

To the Editor:

I was left aghast last week by the shamelessness of Livingston Burgess's Notes from the Desk ("I did not plagiarize these notes," April 24). Advocating that a rigorous and challenging academic environment dissuades cheating is counter-intuitive and highly ignorant, as is the premise that a fundamental cause of cheating is the power and draw of its illicitness. Such a statement insinuates that proctoring exams would only encourage more students to cheat, an argument the faculty neglects to consider because of its absolute idiocy.

Perhaps even greater than my dismay that someone could hold such an illogical view is the sad possibility that one honest and decent 18-year-old was denied a place at Middlebury in favor of a self-professed high-school cheat. I get the impression that Burgess deceives and cheats himself by ignoring a much more likely fact - he simply wasn't capable or confident enough to succeed without resorting to such dishonesty.

Sincerely,

Adam Clayton '08.5


To the Editor:

Thank goodness for this new Middlebury Confessional Web site! Just when I thought there was no space for ridiculous, hateful, hurtful and anonymous comments to be made without being held accountable, this wondrous site came along. Oh, how I enjoy reading angry posts that smack of racist and elitist views. Then, I think back to the many public forums that have been avoided by all those opinionated, intelligent Midd-kids. Why are we ruled by fear and anger? Why do we have to resort to virtual attacks and snazzy sound bites? I think too many of us are afraid of an honest conversation. Yes, I support the creation of an Africana Studies major, but I wouldn't call you racist or personally attack you if you disagree. Yes, you have a right to be against financial aid and scholarships, but don't insult and belittle those who benefit from them. How about a forum with names and a dialogue that elevates the conversation about race, class, sexuality, poverty and all other forms of difference? I used to believe that Barack Obama was right to give that speech about race in America. Now, I'm not so sure. If Middlebury is a reflection of the best and brightest of the American public, then I don't think we as a nation are ready to begin these hard conversations. Are we still too afraid to make change?

Sincerely,

Angelica Towne '08


To the Editor:

It has been fascinating to watch things unfold in The Campus over the past few issues. In light of some of the recent controversy and debate, MOQA will be hosting an open conversation next Wednesday, May 7 at 9 p.m. in Carr Hall. We want this meeting to be an opportunity for people to come together, talk about issues related to MOQA's role on campus and in general what it means to be a queer student at Middlebury, as well as look for common ground on some of these important topics that have been discussed so much recently. The meeting is open to ALL members of the Middlebury community. We hope you will all come and invite friends to participate in this conversation with us.

Sincerely,

Molli Freeman-Lynde '08
Treasurer, Middlebury Open Queer Alliance