Letters to the Editor

 Students were warned of late-fee jump

Paying bills on time is a fact of life ("Late tuition fee is outrageous," Staff editorial April 25). We incur late charges for our credit cards, or rent or mortgages, and for any other bill we don't pay on time. Most universities require full payment upon registration or by the first day of the quarter. The UW is unique in giving students a longer pay period, so receiving payment when it's due is critical to the effective operation of this institution.

The raise to $120 was implemented in winter quarter 2002, after many notices to students (including on the paper bill, through e-mail alerts to all students, with Web headlines, adviser communications and cards handed out in Schmitz 129). After years of more than 10 percent of students paying late, winter quarter saw the percentage drop to 5.3 percent, and now in spring to 5.1 percent. At the same time, other options were promoted so students could avoid the late-payment charge, including a 24-hour check drop slot outside Schmitz Hall, free electronic bill paying, low-cost, interest-free short-term loans (now online and granted same day), and the on-line credit-card payment option with a convenience fee. And you're correct, there is a petition process.

I am responsible for Student Fiscal Services, the office that affixes the late-payment charges to student accounts after the tuition due date (at the end of three weeks of classes). I would be happy to continue the conversation if anyone would like to contact me.

Ruth Johnston

assistant controller

Where'd you get this $90,000 average?

For five years, a flight of professors to better-paying Ivy League and public universities has appeared as a major problem for which the UW and WSU have no solution. The salary figures in your article ("Peers pay faculty more," April 26) drastically understated the financial realities facing UW faculty.

A casual survey (the UW's public salaries declaration is available at the reference desk at Suzzallo Library) shows the average UW professor makes between $45,000 and $65,000. In my department (political science), only three professors out of 45 make close to or above $90,000. Salaries in the natural sciences may have a slightly higher average than in the social sciences and humanities, but in a recent discussion with a professor it was suggested that the UW includes divisional administrators (such as deans) in statistics on salary. That means President McCormick's $300,000 salary is averaged in with professors making far less than $90,000. If it were the case that the average professor made $90,000, my guess is the UW would not have the current problem.

Uncompetitive faculty salaries, reduced funding support for graduate students and rising tuition for all students work together to lower the quality of education at this university. Major capital projects (new law school, Suzzallo Library renovation, IMA makeover) do nothing to solve this problem. Only new (and unlikely) support from the state Legislature can help. In the meantime, it is important for everyone to recognize how bad the problem is and realize that the crises of stagnant salaries and rising tuition are interrelated.

Carlo Bonura

graduate student, political science

Please represent what we said

I am writing to express my disappointment at the tone of Mark Santschi's article ("Prospective labor initiative criticized," April 23). I am one of the three members of the UW chapter of SEIU Local 925 who were interviewed for the article on Initiative 777, the so-called "right to work" initiative. I am disappointed because the concerns we had expressed in the interview -- about the effects of "right to work" laws on workers' rights to organize and union security, as well as the law's effects on the downward pressure on wages and the negative effect on working conditions -- were downplayed in the article. The comments by our chapter president, Rene DeVine, were not even used. We intended the article to be an education piece on what "right to work" laws do to workers' wages and working conditions if they cannot organize and have strong union contracts.

I certainly hope that in the future that The Daily will maintain the tone of articles better than it did with this article. Workers choose union representation to achieve fairness and dignity in their wages and working conditions and we certainly do not try to deny people a right to work, we just want the right to organize for fair treatment and dignity.

Patrick Switzer

staff, health sciences

WEA was stealing

Of course the "Prospective labor initiative" (April 23) is criticized by union representatives! They are worried about members backing out if they are no longer required to stay in their precious unions. This must be a clear message to unions that people should not have to be paying members if they choose not to be.

According to the article, "Without the right to organize, Washington's labor organizations would become weak and destabilized." This probably is true, but where in the initiative does it state that organizations do not have the right to organize? From the article, I-777 would "prohibit any employer from requiring employees either to belong or not belong to a labor organization, or to pay union representation costs, as a condition of employment."

A great percentage of that union representation cost now taken from members' paychecks is going directly to political propaganda on the side that supports unions - the left. The initiative is not about abolishing unions; it is about letting employees choose whether or not they would like to be represented by a union.

To James Crowe, who says "no one is forced into membership," I reply that we may have the option to join or not, but if we choose not to it is very difficult to get around the fine print that union hecklers have put into almost every form of unionized employment. The Washington Education Association is in a lawsuit now for that exact reason ... it was stealing money from teachers who wished not to be associated with union activities and sending it who-knows-where to get who-knows-whom elected in 2004!

Dayna Dawson

junior, premajor

Get real

This letter is in regard to the three main issues everyone likes to comment on: abortion by rape victims, rising tuition and campus diversity. For those who don't think impregnated rape victims should be able to have an abortion, picture if it was your wife impregnated by her rapist. Would you want a constant 'growing' reminder of the tragedy? Part of healing is being able to move on. Stop defending a horribly unrealistic point of view.

As far as rising tuition goes, anyone can get loans. College is not unfeasible for anyone. If you honestly can't afford it, you will even probably get grants. If tuition going up a couple hundred bucks makes the difference between whether or not college is worth it, one of three things is the case. One, you need to pick a major that actually means you can get a job. Two, if that little bit makes the difference between a lifetime of knowledge and increased job possibilities, then the jobs you are looking at must pay garbage. Set your sights higher than knee level. Or three, join one of the world's largest humanitarian-aid organizations and get school paid for, learn something about yourself and make a difference. Join ROTC and become an officer in the military. Four thousand dollars a year is not much for a top-50 school.

Regarding campus diversity class requirements ... until they start requiring more than Math 098 (which you should've learned in junior high) to graduate, campus diversity classes shouldn't be of any concern.

Joe Harvey

junior, economics

Where's the peace treaty?

In Toby Nelson's letter ("Kleptocratic Palestinian leadership," April 24), he makes a great point that the Palestinian Authority (PA) leadership accounts for a great deal of the economic hardship of the Palestinian people. Those who would wholly blame Israel for the extended socioeconomic hardship ought to look no further than a compound in Ramallah where certain people have been exploiting those they represent for years.

I ask anyone to explain to me why the misuse of millions of dollars by the PA has not been the focus of the Palestinian supporters on campus. If the situation on the ground changes soon, so will change the flow of economic aid. Is this in the interest of the PA leadership? Perhaps this is why we have not yet seen a successful peace treaty.

Etan Basseri

HuskIPAC campus community liaison

sophomore, political science

There is no alternative

Annie Sartor's commentary asking "What about values?" (April 24) gives me a chance to rail against that right-wing monster in sheep's clothing: socialism. A society "organized around values" is a society of totalitarianism, where values are forcibly compelled and free expression squashed. "Participatory economic theory" is Orwellian doublethink for a system where the few decide what is best for the many. Venezuela's woes are a result of market interference from the International Monetary Fund -- a planning tool and investment fund for government-sanctioned banking cartels.

Does Sartor think she's breaking new ground here? We were in this same boat 150 years ago when liberalism had turned Britain in the foremost industrial and economic power in the world (which it misused for imperial expansion -- the two concepts are not related) and Karl Marx, F.W. Taylor and Otto von Bismarck were the ones whining about "values" and the evils of individualism. A dark century of fascism, communism and elitism later and we're left with billions impoverished and dead, and the world beating a slow, grudging retreat back to liberalism. Why? Because nothing else can bring power and prosperity to those who can use it best -- the people. Nothing else protects from totalitarianism. Nothing else works.

Sartor's world of values is already coming, if we can but shake off the stubborn vestiges of centralized top-down economic and social control. We must carefully avoid the pitfalls Sartor's ilk are digging for us if we are to reach the bright future that belongs to us all.

Nassir Isaf

sophomore, premajor

First pope was a married man

In regard to Chris Murray's article on celibacy in the priesthood ("Holier than thou," April 24), I must disagree. While celibacy has been the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church for almost 1,000 years, it was not the doctrine of the church for over 1,000 years after Christ's death. The first pope, Peter, was a married man. The change came with the Second Lateran Council in 1139, largely to avoid property inheritance to the children of priests.

While it is easy to maintain celibacy should be a Catholic core value to maintain a "holier than thou" aura, one must examine the moral underpinnings of marriage itself. The Roman Catholic Church considers marriage a holy institution. Marriage in itself is not a sin, and if marriage leads couples to engage in supposedly baseless activities, then I wonder why married couples neither seek nor are expected to seek repentance for such grave errors.

Granted, the celibacy requirement is failed by perhaps fewer than 2 percent of Catholic priests. But the requirement also serves as a barrier to entry for many men who might consider joining the priesthood. This is significant as the Catholic church faces a decreasing priesthood serving an increasing Catholic population. Better screening of the sexual proclivities of priesthood candidates and a serious re-examination of the supposed sin in marriage could reduce pedophilia cases and increase the ranks of the priesthood.

Alex Chang

junior, business

Praise for administration

I just wanted to give some praise to the Office of the Registrar for what has seemed to be a smooth transition from a printed version of the time schedule to the online version. By making both available over the past two years, the Registrar provided flexibility to the university community despite economic losses. Ending the printed version only came with the current budget crisis and lack of demand. Such a commitment from the UW administration to the community is encouraged and should be recognized.

Joshua Newman

senior, industrial engineering

Loyalty versus cowardice

I read the letter regarding the treatment of Dr. Richard Winn with a heavy heart and great outrage ("Open letter to the University," April 18). For nearly 20 years, Winn has provided the people of the Pacific Northwest with the utmost level of care and service. To say that he touched and saved thousands of lives would not even begin to accurately portray his impact. He has built the preeminent department of neurosurgery in the country in an honest, thoughtful manner, often double-checking to make sure he was abiding by the rules and regulations of the University, as well as by his own moral compass.

For the University to demand his resignation without informing him of the charges is beyond belief, and its actions reek of a corrupted and unjust system. How is a man to defend himself without knowing what he should defend against? Is it of no consequence that Winn has taken a lie detector test and passed? The absence of loyalty is shameful.

Ultimately, the world-renowned care and service provided by Winn and his team will surely suffer in his absence, and for this reason, Seattle citizens should be deeply disheartened.

I have known Winn for 28 years and know of his sacrifice for his job and patients. I sat waiting for him at soccer games or at the dinner table or at a school play because patients had crashed or their families needed a shoulder on which to lean. He imparted to me the importance of honesty and ethics, and through these unfounded attacks, I have never been prouder to not only call him the leading neurosurgeon in the country, but also my father. The unjust acts of the University will never mar him in the eyes of those who know him as a man.

Allison Winn Scotch

Makes me not want to eat pizza

I would like you to know that I find the advertisement by Pazzo's Pizza (Career guide, April 23) rather offensive and vulgar. Each time I come across this ad, I can't help but feel disgusted. It's rather distasteful to have such an ad for pizzas. Such an ad is an assault on our standards of decency. It is not appropriate to be published for the student community. Please give feedback to the advertiser.

Kelly Ong

spouse of a UW student

Professors are here to teach

See a full professor hard at work: students.washington.edu/sefthuko/goodprofessor.jpg

It's refreshing to see a full professor who's willing to sit down after class and go through things with students. The idea of full professors lecturing and then disappearing into thin air still hasn't arrived, at least at the UW. My friend Joel Pierce told me that this was a Kodak moment, and I am inclined to agree. By the way, the teacher is professor Robert Marks from the electrical engineering department. He's the one in the dark suit in the middle, with the Diet Coke at his feet. UW definitely needs professors like these, because this image represents something that universities and colleges are starting to overlook. It's comforting to know that our teachers realize that they are here to ensure that the students are educated.

Hermann Chong

senior, electrical engineering

We're not all wankers

I am writing to express my disappointment with the cartoon that appears on page 12 of the April 24 issue of The Daily. The illustration accompanies a "Police beat" entry entitled "I just called to say I'm horny"; it portrays an obviously disturbed man who is masturbating while in the act of making an obscene phone call.

My objection to the piece concerns the attire of the alleged pervert. He is depicted in the cartoon wearing an REO Speedwagon concert T-shirt. I am a longtime fan of "the Wagon," and I believe that it is high time that someone stood up in defense of this much-maligned and greatly misunderstood band. Enough is enough. I am a fan of REO Speedwagon and lead a completely normal life. Moreover, most fans of the band are similarly normal people. It is time -- once and for all -- that we put to bed the few, isolated and unfortunate incidents from the past that have, unfortunately and unfairly, been used to tar all REO Speedwagon fans with the same broad brush.

Steven M. Tobias

graduate student, English