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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Students' voices deserve more ears
Letters to the Editor | 1/20/09
Posted online at 9:33 PM EST on 1/19/09
To the Editor:
The roots of Brandeis' financial crisis are simple. Back in the mid-80s, then-University President Evelyn Handler made it clear that a university that relies upon grants and philanthropic gifts need not listen to or respect the opinions of its students. After all, Handler told us, we were simply passing through, and our views could be ignored without risk. From substandard housing to fights over kosher dining to issues of staffing and tenure to the obnoxious presence of Jimmy Carter on campus, the opinions of students are and always have been ignored.
As both my private high school and law school have known for over 150 years, happy and respected students become tomorrow's generous donors. Even now, Brandeis' president sends me intemperate letters that upset those of us who could help. I respond to Reinharz's letters by sending large checks elsewhere. It's too late for Brandeis to get me or my friends and classmates to donate to the University, but there are two things Brandeis must do: First, the current president, with his zeal for antagonizing donors and students, must go. And the University must respect today's students, who will be around long after that which funded Brandeis originally has turned to dust.
-Rob Meltzer '87
The roots of Brandeis' financial crisis are simple. Back in the mid-80s, then-University President Evelyn Handler made it clear that a university that relies upon grants and philanthropic gifts need not listen to or respect the opinions of its students. After all, Handler told us, we were simply passing through, and our views could be ignored without risk. From substandard housing to fights over kosher dining to issues of staffing and tenure to the obnoxious presence of Jimmy Carter on campus, the opinions of students are and always have been ignored.
As both my private high school and law school have known for over 150 years, happy and respected students become tomorrow's generous donors. Even now, Brandeis' president sends me intemperate letters that upset those of us who could help. I respond to Reinharz's letters by sending large checks elsewhere. It's too late for Brandeis to get me or my friends and classmates to donate to the University, but there are two things Brandeis must do: First, the current president, with his zeal for antagonizing donors and students, must go. And the University must respect today's students, who will be around long after that which funded Brandeis originally has turned to dust.
-Rob Meltzer '87
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