Review Misidentifies

To the Editor:

In your last issue, you refer to Carl Rowan as being a former director of the United States Intelligence Agency. So far as I know, no such agency exists, and I think you are probably talking about the United States Information Agency. I quote from AP's obit of Carl Rowan: "His reporting on race relations led Kennedy to appoint him Deputy Secretary of State. Before returning to journalism, he also served as a delegate to the United Nations, Ambassador to Finland and director of the United States Information Agency."

A subtle point, but the way it stands, you imply he was a director of a spy agency, when in fact USIA does things like manage cultural exchange programs and run American libraries in foreign countries and maybe a bit of what you would call propaganda, but not spying, at least as far as I was able to tell when I worked for the USIA office in New Delhi, India three summers ago.

--Thomas Doggett, College Senior

Res Life Deceives

To the Editor:

One of the claims of last week's front page article on DP abuse, "Battle for Off-Board," is that there is a strong strain of dissatisfaction in the student body towards the flat rate meal plan and the no-escape policy for off-board. And this surprises? The unfairness of CDS, if only measured in a student's inability to independently cook and care for him or herself, has been obvious for the past four years, and I see no front of delusion coming to campus anytime soon.

The only surprise in the article came from Res Life, who finally fessed up to their financial dire straights. This is a change from the previous polish-up of their program's image as a needed requisite to life on campus.

"Oberlin is a residential college that prides itself on offering a diverse housing and dining program that incorporates extensive academic and personal growth opportunities. These programs are vital to the mission of the College and are not merely unrelated basic needs programs." I quote from the Res Life mission statement that is provided to outside medical professionals when a student applies for a medical Off-Board waiver.

It is not addressed to the student or to their parents, both of whom know the true picture of cost and service. It is addressed to an unconnected doctor or nurse practitioner. It is a deceitful attempt in constructing a false picture of Res Life's agenda and stake in keeping students on-board. The admission of money problems is, at the very least, a stronger argument than this previous and insulting screen.

To change the system and secure a right of choosing to be off-board, students have attended meetings and hearings hosted by CDS, publicly protested, and now, apparently, rely upon the deception of a false DP. And none of these efforts have been listened to. Because we are tired of being flatly ignored we no longer attend the meetings and hearings. We no longer mount protests. And now, even the significance of 43 students driven to alleged deception is being white-washed as Res Life is screaming J'accuse.

So what is left after talk, protest, and deception have all failed? How about a promise. I promise, as an alumni of Oberlin College, that I will not give the school a dime until I hear that their food service program has been reformed for the better. I promise that I will encourage others to do the same. Perhaps my little blackmail will finally achieve results.

--Franklin Gould, College Senior

Rowan Inspires

To the Editor:

I was pleased to see your impressive coverage on Carl Rowan in last week's Review (9/29/2000) and thought that at least any of your readers who know the German language might be interested to know that Mr. Rowan's book Breaking Barriers was translated into German by my mother (another Oberlin alum), Ursula Stechow. In working on the translation, my mother felt‹and still feels‹strongly that the caring and courage, the impressive and respect-filled life story, and the open minded, extraordinary leadership shown by Mr. Rowan should be of interest to, and an example for, persons of any background.

--Nicki Memmott, Conservatory Applied Studies Administrative Assistant

Homeless Voters Registered

To the Editor:

Hunger and homelessness are huge problems, both in our country and in the state of Ohio. In 1998, over 10 percent of households in the U.S. were hungry or at risk of hunger and 8 percent of Ohio's households faced the same circumstances. Recent reports have found that as much as 14 percent of the U.S. population has considered themselves homeless at some point. Despite the fact that our economy is booming, hunger and homelessness are still very serious problems in our society.

This past Saturday, members of the Ohio PIRG Hunger and Homelessness project group went to the Haven Homeless Shelter in Lorain County and will continue to do so every Saturday throughout the year. The first two visits are going to be centered around getting the residents of the shelter registered to vote. Fortunately, being homeless in the state of Ohio does not exclude one from this privilege. The voice of the homeless matters just as much as everyone else's in our democracy, but Ohio is one of only a dozen states that doesn't require a permanent residence for voter registration. You can receive mail at a P.O. box or a shelter, and list as your residence the place you return to most frequently, even if it is a street corner or a park bench. The only requirements are that voters must be 1) 18 years old, 2) a US citizen, and 3) able to identify an address.

Of course, registering people to vote does not necessarily mean that they will make it out to the polling stations. Come Election Day, we will provide rides to those who need them, and information about the candidates and the issues at stake. Anyone who would like to receive more information about this campaign, or to find out how to get involved, should contact Ohio PIRG at x8137, Wilder 303, or ohio.pirg@oberlin.edu.

--Alice Cheong, College Sophomore

Hunger & Homelessness Campaign Co-coordinator

Athletes Neglected

To the Editor:

As a varsity athlete I am both outraged and insulted at the number of Athletics & Recreation calendars that my fellow students threw away before even leaving the mailroom. Unless I miss my guess, a lot of you are the very same people who expect your fellow students to support YOUR extracurricular efforts by attending your concerts, voice and dance recitals, plays, readings and protest rallies. And get really, REALLY nasty when someone disses YOUR pet activity.

--Mary Margaret Towey, College Senior

Get Flu Shots

To the Editor:

Flu shots are coming! Student Health Services of Oberlin College has received notice from our supplier that we will recieve a full shipment of flu vaccine, although it may be delayed. Notices, flyers, and a campus wide email will alert the campus community of vaccination dates, times, and locations as soon as it is available. For more information, please contact Student Health Services, 775-8180.

--L. Hieronymus, Health Service Director

Pretzer Praised

To the Editor:

I was very impressed with Zachary Pretzer's article on the use of drugs amongst Olympic athletes. He has spelled out the exact values that should form the foundation of the wonderful international games. Knowing that someone like Zachary is a student at Oberlin does not surprise me, as I know that standing up for justice and a just society is what Oberlin students aspire to.

Also, Zachary's comments make me think of Oberlin's motto: that one person can change the world. I hope that Zachary's words are taken to heart in the global Olympic village and that the world sees that winning at all costs (i.e. taking performance-enhancing drugs), is not winning at all.

--Carol Walker, Parent of an Oberlin Athlete

Grape Article Faulty

To the Editor:

A misleading headline in The Grape on Thursday, Sept. 28, stated incorrectly that Oberlin College's Sexual Offense policy may be illegal. Oberlin's Sexual Offense Policy was revised and approved by the General Faculty in May of 1999, after a thorough review by the College's legal counsel. The policy is entirely consistent with the requirements of the Higher Education Act. Oberlin's Sexual Offense Policy requires periodic review.

--Camille Hamlin Mitchell, Sexual Offense Policy Administrator

Help Protect Roadless Lands

To the Editor:

More than half of our National Forests have been destroyed by logging, mining and road building. There are 440,000 miles of roads already built in our National Forests, which were paid for by the U.S. Forest Service with U.S. tax dollars!

President Clinton wants to leave behind an environmental legacy when he leaves office at the end of the year and protecting our roadless areas will be a perfect way for him to do so! Environmental groups across the country have joined together to urge the President to endorse a policy that will protect all roadless areas of over 1,000 acres in our National Forests from roads, clearcutting, logging, mining, and other destructive activities.

On Wednesday, Oct. 4, the Midwestern Student PIRGs organized a call-in day to the White House's toll-free number. Students and citizens across the Midwest flooded the phone lines, asking the president to approve a roadless policy with no loopholes and permanent protection for all our roadless areas.

Ohio PIRG at Oberlin involved students in this campaign by posting the toll-free number around campus, as well as setting up an information table across from the pay phone outside the mailroom in Wilder, where students called the number for three hours during the afternoon.

We would like to thank all the students and community members who participated and made a phone call. We encourage you to continue to contact President Clinton and ask him to protect our roadless areas. The toll-free number is 1-877-730-3377. More information about the campaign can be provided by Ohio PIRG at x8131, Wilder 303, Wilder Box #89, or ohio.pirg@oberlin.edu.

Thanks, and let's protect our forests!

--Ellen R. Montgomery, College Senior

Save Our Wild Forests Campaign Co-coordinator