Letters to the Editor

Quote of the Day: "Two things only a man cannot hide: that he is drunk and that he is in love." - Antiphanes

More steps needed to become the best

An integral part of University President Rev. William P. Leahy's efforts to make Boston College the world's leading Catholic university is the merger between BC and the Weston Jesuit School of Theology. No doubt both institutions would mutually reinforce each other, and as The Heights reported on Monday, the merger looks increasingly likely. Consolidation of two Jesuit Catholic institutions, however, is only a partial step toward making BC the premier Catholic university.

That goal also requires attracting the best and the brightest students, faculty, and staff to study, teach, and research at this dynamic University. In that regard, BC should take a cue from Weston's nondiscrimination policy, which reads: "Weston Jesuit is committed to a policy of non-discrimination for all applicants and students without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, religion, citizenship, or disability."

Adopting an inclusive nondiscrimination policy that fully and equally protects GLBT students, faculty, and staff will not only enhance the academic environment on this campus, but will also go a long way toward attracting and retaining some of the brightest minds.

BC cannot become the world's top Catholic university if its nondiscrimination policy continues to prevent it from recruiting and retaining some of the best and the brightest.

George Jasinski A&S '06

Nick Salter A&S '07

Place concern on safety

I am confused and frankly distraught that after two decades of the HIV/AIDS health crisis and 40 million infected worldwide, there are those among us with access to first world education and medical guidance who are against the distribution and promotion of condoms. No medical professional claims that condoms are 100-percent effective against sexually transmitted disease, but no one can plausibly argue that they don't serve as a highly effective preventative measure when used correctly.

Obviously, there is great anxiety about the prevalence of casual sex in our contemporary culture. I think, however, that the targeting of condoms as a societal culprit is misdirected. It is difficult to prove that the distribution of condoms causes people to engage in casual sex more frequently. The phenomena of casual sex can be traced to various social causes, not necessarily linked to condoms - the '60s and '70s saw plenty of casual sex with very little condom use.

Without passing a moral judgment on casual sex, I will say that if one is uncomfortable with the practice, then that person should stay true to their personal decision to wait until a loving relationship or marriage and not worry about what messages a condom may or may not be sending.

Heather Stepanek BC '04

Who's had an impact on you here?

As we enter the mid-semester grind and begin to daydream about spring break plans, I ask you to take a moment to reflect and to consider the individuals that have influenced your experience at Boston College. The Undergraduate Government of BC established the Mary Kaye Waldron Award in 1996 in order to honor a professor, administrator, or staff member that has impacted student life and continues to work on behalf of students outside of the classroom or office.

The award strives to remember and continue the legacy of Mary Kaye Waldron, a student at BC before her death from cancer in April 1995. While at BC, Waldron was involved with the Jenks Leadership Program, the Salt and Light Company, and was a manager for the men's basketball team.

Waldron exemplified the Jesuit value of "men and women for others," upholding the importance of care and service in every aspect of her life. The Mary Kaye Waldron Award is the only one of its kind that is nominated and selected entirely by students. I encourage you to nominate a professor or staff member that exemplifies these ideals on www.ugbc.org, beginning Monday.

Lora Krsulich, A&S '07 Conor O'Phelan, A&S '08

Co-Directors of Faculty, Administration, and Students, UGBC