Letters to the Editor

Cicero, explained

Regarding 'Do it for Cicero' (Monday, April 16, 2007):

I agree that learning how to think is at the core of a liberal arts education. The editorial board failed, however, to make a generally recognized distinction between knowing and thinking. An accumulation of knowledge can take place in the classroom, the lab and even the third floor of Firestone. Thinking, however, is facilitated by engagement, by having "to make up one's mind" in contested situations. Professor Kiki Jamieson is right on target in asserting that civic engagement is an integral part of a liberal arts education, an education that fosters thinking and not merely knowing. Cicero's insights and wisdom certainly came from his engagement with the civic struggles of his day. Those who come to Princeton "to learn how to think" should be similarly engaged. Do it for Cicero. John Fish '55 Chairman Princeton Project 55

Multifaceted religion

Regarding 'USG will not take sides over Chabad' (Monday, April 16, 2007):

I don't see why the University should refuse to grant Chabad chaplaincy status, unless it's the "committed to interfaith cooperation" clause, though I do wonder, given the meaning of "evangelism" (see Matt. 28:19-20), if other denominations do not similarly regard "interfaith cooperation" as a euphemism for "reach out to them in hopes that they join us."

In fact, I'm a bit surprised that Chabad would apply for ministry status — in my experience, they often do not like to cooperate even with other Jewish denominations or organizations, as a matter of institutional policy. But if Rabbi Eitan Webb agrees to cooperate, why not become a campus ministry?

Many recognized ministries serve different Christian denominations, while there is only one for all Jews. Chabad appears to be considered a different denomination within Judaism, both by itself and others.

In the 19th century, Rabbi Samson Rafael Hirsch created the Neo-Orthodox Movement as a new government-recognized denomination of Judaism when the regnant Reform Movement refused to fund Orthodox activities. Until then, all Jews were regarded as one religion by the German government. Not that such a coercive relationship exists here, but why not allow them to be their particularist selves? Jonathan Baker '87

Program is fixable

Regarding 'The cost of Princeton childcare' (Wednesday, April 18, 2007):

As chair of the Child Care Working Group, I am responding to Aaron Schurger GS column regarding the new childcare assistance programs. When President Tilghman appointed the childcare working group, she explicitly asked us to find ways to help graduate students balance care for their children with their academic work, their research, teaching and advising obligations and their ability to participate in conferences and workshops outside Princeton. As described on the Graduate School website, the Student Child Care Assistance Program (SCCAP) is one of a number of new policies and programs designed to help graduate students with children complete their degree requirements so that the students canto start families as they further their professional careers. We are pleased that SCCAP has significantly expanded the range of childcare options that graduate students can utilize.

The 2007-08 academic year will be the first year for this program. The application for assistance will be online within the next few days at the Graduate School website. During the coming year, we will monitor how well the program meets the needs of graduate students, and we will consider whether we should recommend further changes for future years. We welcome all thoughts and comments from graduate students and others as we proceed. Joan Girgus Chair, Child Care Working Group Professor of Psychology and Special Assistant to the Dean of the Faculty