Letters to the Editor

Author: [no author name found]

To the Editor:

In Mr. James B. Cowperthwait's recent letter to The Campus concerning the selection of President Bill Clinton as the 2007 Commencement Speaker, he states that Mr. Clinton was impeached "for lying to a grand jury." In fact, there were two articles of impeachment, one for providing perjurous, false and misleading testimony to the grand jury and the other for obstructing justice. He goes on to say, "Every citizen is required to tell the truth to a grand jury, but Clinton apparently felt he was above the law."

I have no way of knowing Mr. Clinton's feelings then or now, but it appears that Mr. Cowperthwait may be confusing impeachment with conviction. Impeachment is akin to indictment, i.e., a charging of violations. Mr. Clinton was charged, but he was not convicted; he was acquitted on both charges. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty is an important principle that is only too easily forgotten in these contentious times.

More troubling than a possible misunderstanding of what impeachment means is Mr. Cowperthwait's withdrawal of support from Middlebury. I am also a Middlebury supporter. I served on the Parents' Committee and plan on continuing my support after my daughter graduates this year. Mr. Cowperthwait states that Middlebury is a "distinguished institution." The college is no less distinguished as a result of selecting Mr. Clinton. The student body, faculty and administration are of the same high caliber. The mission of the college is unchanged. Its reputation, if anything, has been enhanced, not diminished, by the selection.

It is unreasonable to expect to agree with every policy and decision adopted by an institution that one supports. The wrong message is sent to students - soon to be alumni - by withdrawing support on the basis of one institutional decision. Middlebury would, I suspect, be much less distinguished if supporting it were conditioned on 100 percent agreement with every action it takes. I have not agreed with several decisions over the last few years, but my support continues. I would urge Mr. Cowperthwait to continue his for the good of a distinguished institution of higher learning.

Richard Babin P '07
Penfield, NY


To the Editor:

Over the past few months the death of social life has been a main issue on campus. We have blamed the administration, the liquor inspector and have questioned the adequacy of current social spaces. When, as students, will we look to ourselves? There are hundreds of activities on campus each week sponsored by numerous clubs and other social organizations. It has been said that the social houses are dying or that somehow the administration is weeding them out. It is true that in the past few years we have seen two suspended through our own careless actions. However, as the incoming president of KDR I can attest to the liveliness of the social house scene. We provide parties for the students, a fun social atmosphere to the diverse members, and hours of service to the community. The biggest problem facing the future of the social houses is not the administration, but we, the students. Without student participation, the social houses will no longer exist and we will have lost yet another forum for social life. I invite all students to visit the social houses, during parties or otherwise, and I challenge you to submit ideas to us. It is time we take responsibility for our own social life on campus and take advantage of the opportunities we have now.

Sincerely,
Jessica Weiss '08
Incoming President of KDR