LETTER

The Oct. 21 article about Boston University Academy (‘Staying at BU a ‘stigma,’ Academy students say’) was given a negative spin that some of those quoted (including me) found both surprising and unjustifiably negative.

The suggestion that BU Academy graduates view staying at BU as a ‘stigma,’ which was stressed in the article’s title, was not borne out by the quotes or the perspective of those interviewed.’ Instead, quotes were used out of context or slanted to produce this false impression.’ A thoughtful reading of each quote reveals the very positive attitude we have about BU, even when addressing a prompt about this supposed ‘stigma.” In the instance of my quote, I was responding to the question about where else our graduates matriculate, but my answer was positioned in the article to suggest that we prefer Ivy League placements (not true; we are pleased that each student is well matched).’ Rather than feeling ‘only’ about five graduates in each class might stay here, we are proud that 10 percent to 15 percent of our graduates each year elect to attend BU, which receives the largest single group of our students over any other college or university. Often our students select BU because of exciting connections they have already formed with professors and departments from their Academy years, such as in Classics, Fine Arts or Engineering. Sometimes they even turn down the Ivies to remain at BU, happily.

The negative slant of the title and the misuse of quotes have the potential to sour what is actually a very healthy and positive relationship between the University and the Academy. I would have expected more balanced and fair editing from The Daily Free Press, and am disappointed this was not the case concerning BU Academy.

Sincerely,

James S. Berkman
Head of School
Boston University Academy