It is with great embarrassment that I hang my two Boston University degrees on my office wall.
I was aghast to read that John Silber has recently ordered the BU Academy to disband its gay-straight student alliance (“BU tells Academy to drop gay group”, Boston.com, September 6, 2002). It most certainly does not take a doctorate in education to know that student support organizations such as the gay-straight student alliance are essential, if not pivotal to the success of students. If anything, such groups help promote awareness of the diversity Boston University seems to unabashedly herald in its glossy viewbooks and recruitment materials.
If Silber considers himself a true educator, he should reconsider his misguided reliance on in loco parentis and get his ideals out of the 90’s–the 1890’s–and start reflecting the needs of today’s–that’s 2002–students. Unless, of course, the next step for BU is racial segregation.
But what do I know? I just work in higher education. I’ve made it my life mission to battle the kind of intolerance and ignorance being demonstrated by my alma mater. Now I’m just ashamed to admit I learned the principles of education from an institution run by such an individual.
One thing I know for sure: it is precisely because of such idiotic moves by the administration that I proudly hold back any kind of financial contributions to Boston University. And rest assured that I will encourage my classmates to do the same.
Archie Cubarrubia, Ed.M. SAR ’01 SED ’02 Archie.Cubarrubia@nau.edu
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