Letters to the Editor
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
‘Students Know Less After 4 College Years’
Having taught at the university level for 35 years, I was disappointed and even astonished to read the remarks of the chairman of the history department at Princeton University, Jeremy Adelman, on the subject of what university students should be expected to study and know [New York, “Students Know Less After 4 College Years,” September 19,2007].
It appears that the education he has in mind resembles one more appropriate to trade or vocational schools than to a university. If this is the future for higher education in this country, can the revival of public scribes be far behind?
IRA SOHN
Professor of economics and finance
Montclair State University
Monclair, N.J.
‘NFL Needs To Suspend Belichick for Sign Stealing’
The National Football League’s punishment of Bill Belichick and the Patriots is indeed a slap on the wrist despite the apparent severity it proposes [Sports, “NFL Needs To Suspend Belichick for Sign Stealing,” September 12, 2007]. Taking large amounts of cash from them is meaningless considering their financial status. The loss of the draft pick is easily surmountable for a team as successful as them. Why not a real punishment similar to that which a student should receive when caught cheating on a written test — a zero on that exam? The forfeiture of the game played during which the actual cheating occurred would likely hurt the team more than most other kinds of “punishments” and would no doubt deter them and others from future dishonesty.
MICHAEL LATZER
Closter, N.J.
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