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Web Exclusives: More letters from alumni
about Farcical
trustee ballots I fully agree that alumni ballots for trustee have become a farce although I have taken great pains to vote as responsibly as possible until the last few years, when the Alumni Council excluded all personal references to the personal convictions of candidates: religious affiliations, philosophies, political opinions, educational theories, moral practices etc. I have no basis to select one clone over another and cannot separate rubber stamps from creative contributors. My tolerance level is very broad but I believe anyone influencing education of youth should have some religious faith and moral principles. The Presbyterian founders of Princeton would be much less tolerant, and I am surprised the alumni have not rebelled at the scheme that could permit us to be blindly selecting secularists. I doubt that is the case as I suspect the typical trustee is theologically traditional but forbidden to tell us what he stands for and what changes he foresees for Princeton education. This is not some hidden attack on coeducation, modern architecture, or even Professor Singer but rather a vigorous defense of academic freedom for conservatives and liberals alike. Are we only permitted to support rebellious attacks on traditional values? This spin doctor control of information also extended to publicity releases about our new president -- no way to judge her value system -- no comparison with Dr. Dodd's criteria [http://www.princeton.edu/~paw/more/more_17.html]. Nothing but blind faith in the selection system and hope that Presbyterian predestination or God's providence is still protecting the school they created. Frank Hirsch '54 Lookout Mountain, Tenn. Respond
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