Letters to the Editor

Regarding 'Letters to the Editor' (Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007):

I agree that the University should take part in iTunes U. In fact, we have been contributing to iTunes U since Feb. 2006 as the Princeton University Podcast channel. Princeton content is also available in both pod and vodcasts through the University Channel (UChannel) and the iTunes site. As to the original comment made in "Second Life and the Soul," that Princeton is "pouring" money into Second Life (SL) as far as hosted server fees go, (server space is what one really pays for in SL), the costs of Second Life are more like a slow drip in terms of comparable services. Most of the Princeton island development was done in-house, and the outside contractors were hired at a rate favorable to what we customarily pay temporary employees for special projects.

The Second Life platform is the most mature of the virtual realities now available and has both flaws and strengths. As leading indicators such as the "Horizon Report" suggest that virtual realities are going to become almost as important as email in future years, it seems expedient that we at Princeton explore them now, in their infancy. While nothing could ever replace the value of the face-to-face exchanges that happen on a campus as vibrant and exciting as Princeton, that does not mean that we don't extend those discussions through other means. Hosting precepts in Second Life is not the intention of Princeton's SL space, nor is SL a useful tool for doing anything that is more easily or meaningfully done on the actual Princeton campus. But because of the synchronous nature of a virtual world, its three dimensions, and the fact that avatars have some limited range of expressions and gestures, virtual realities have the potential for a humanity far more immediate than other aspects of the internet the author finds to be "soulless." Additionally, the alumni population already finds the SL campus interesting and has expressed approval about having a few recognizable building to look at in a virtual space. Janet Temos Director of Educational Technologies Center, OIT

Regarding 'Labyrinth to launch in November' (Friday, Oct. 5, 2007):

I wish Labyrinth nothing but success, but the notion that they won't have open stacks for course books is a simply terrible idea.

Time was in major libraries ('twas true at Harvard's Widener for decades, and it's still true at the Library of Congress) that you wanted a book, you filled out a call slip, handed it off to a functionary and in 30 minutes or so you'd get your book. No browsing, except at the card catalog. Nearly every major library now has open stacks. The serendipitous discovery of a work you'd never heard of has launched many a research paper. The same thing happens in bookstores. You see something appealing, you have to pick up the book, turn a few pages and weigh it in your hands.

When a bookstore or a library operates like this, bringing you only the books you request, they are saying, "we don't trust you — our need to control our books outweighs your need to examine the merchandise and perhaps see something you might like better."

These days, bricks and mortar bookstores need to go the extra mile to compete with what's available online. There are wonderful places that are doing well, like Carla Cohen's Politics and Prose in D.C. or Jack Cella's Seminary Co-Op in Chicago (disclaimer: I'm on the board), but it isn't by sequestering course books like the jurors in a Mafia trial.

Princeton, pound for pound the best university in the world, needs a world-class bookstore. Maybe the powers that be should talk to Mike Powell in Portland. David Derbes '74

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Regarding 'A view from the frontline' (Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2007) and 'Flawed reasoning' (Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2007):

Even after "reading and rereading" my column, Jonathan Fernandez '08 severely misrepresents my opinion. First, I claimed that my proposals would "help resolve" club-related tensions — not that they were sufficient by themselves. I stand by that assertion.

Second, while eating clubs are a safer drinking environment than dorms, we should take reasonable measures to make the Street more safe. Third, I am fully aware that club presidents are initially charged in these cases; my point was that presidents ought to hold themselves responsible and pay the penalty. Since an injury or assault at Fernandez' club would weigh so heavily on his conscience, isn't it at least reasonable that he should take the punishment upon himself?

Fourth, I share Fernandez' concern that my proposal might discourage students from seeking medical attention for intoxicated friends. That issue should be resolved by properly defining and promulgating the relevant procedures of McCosh, Public Safety and the Borough Police. Finally, I proposed only modest improvements in both financial aid board allotments and shared meal plans. I do realize that eating clubs need to turn a dollar, hence my suggestion that the University reimburse the clubs for revenue lost to shared plans.

Michael Scharf '64 also responded, labeling my first proposal "preposterous" and calling me "sanctimonious and accusatory." What he fails to do is offer a counterargument. Matt Hoberg '09

Regarding 'Capital for the liberal arts' (Monday, Oct. 8, 2007):

This editorial notes the importance of Princeton investing in academic space for the humanities, but it fails to acknowledge investments that have been made recently or are anticipated as part of the campus plan and the upcoming campaign. The editorial also reasserts inaccuracies about Firestone Library and its renovation, which remains in a planning stage with no determination about space allocation. As University Librarian Karin Trainer has stated, the intention is to make Firestone an even better place for scholarship and research.

The University plans do include a substantial renovation of Frick and Green halls to support the humanities and social sciences when chemistry and psychology move into new buildings, and new classroom space is proposed for the arts-related neighborhood. The Daily Princetonian chose not to mention the new classroom space in Stanhope Hall, which is the new home of the Center for African American Studies; the renovations of the Architecture School; or the new classroom spaces in Whitman College, including a home for the writing program. As announced, renovations at Butler and in many other facilities around campus also will include new academic spaces. It has been only a few years since funding from the University's previous fund raising campaign made possible new academic space in East Pyne, which was renovated and expanded; Chancellor Green; the newly constructed Scheide-Caldwell House; and Marquand Library, which also was expanded. Cass Cliatt '96 Director of Media Relations

Saturday morning started with my favorite necklace slipping down between the wall and the tall backsplash. I'd taken it off before showering, and as I placed it on the sink ledge, it slid backwards into a thin crevice that I didn't even know existed. I was devastated because it didn't seem like there was any way to retrieve the necklace. But I submitted an online work request form to see if anyone could help. Monday morning at 8:30 I woke up to find maintenance worker in the bathroom. He was unbelievably helpful and friendly. He'd already taken apart the pipes looking for the necklace in the drain before I explained that it had fallen between the wall and the backsplash. He tried retrieving it with a metal hook. No luck. He tried attracting it with a strong magnet. Still no go. He even used a small camera probe to search for it. Necklace-oscopy? He could not see it.

Eventually, I had to leave for class, but he promised that they would get the necklace back. When I got back from class that afternoon, carpenters had taken off the backsplash and shelf above the sink, which had been cemented to the wall. They had turned in my necklace to the Super's office. Later that afternoon, the guy from Maintenance stopped by just to make sure that I had gotten the necklace back. I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to Maintenance and to the Facilities Customer Service Center. I didn't expect to get my necklace back at all, much less to get it back first thing on Monday. Everyone was incredibly helpful, and they truly went above and beyond the normal routine. I really regret not getting all of their names. When I see them I will certainly thank them in person, but I thought everyone should know how lucky we are to have such wonderful maintenance people to save us from ourselves! Oakley Strasser '11