All the president’s thanksI would like to thank Ms. Liz Ben-Ishai for writing a fair article in a very difficult situation that could easily lend itself to misinterpretation (President says ‘diversity’ drives white students from enrolment at U of T, Nov. 4). I would also like to express my gratitude to the many members of the university community who called or wrote to support me and to express their commitment to our equity agenda. I heard from faculty, staff, students and student leaders, alumni/ae and governors who are representative of the many -groups that make up our community. It is gratifying to see such deep support for equity. Robert J. Birgeneau,President, University of TorontoSuggestion of bribe creates bad VibeLast Thursday’s Varsity failed to accurately report on an important remark. As a result, it portrayed an innocent party in a highly unfavourable light.The story relating to Radio Erindale suggested that I claimed SAC University Affairs Commissioner Mohammed Hashim attempted to bribe ECSU and Vibe into taking a particular action with student incidental money. While such a coercive attempt was indeed made, this was done by Mr. Hashim strictly on behalf of SAC VP of operations John Lea. Mr. Lea continues to withhold student fees in what can only be an effort to kill our radio station.Thank you for allowing me to clear Mr. Hashim of any accusation of coercion.Matt SullivanStation Manager,Vibe Radio 91.9FM UTMHoly hypocrisyPerhaps before accusing Dr. Peter Kreeft of intolerance and hatred, LGBTOUT should look to their own publications. Their June 2002 edition of Outlet contains a reprint of an offensive and slanderous advertisement for “The Holy Homo Hop,” which accuses Pope John Paul II, among other things, of benefitting from slave labour in Third World Countries. What of tolerance and respect?Daniel SantoroFuming over cigarette adsI was utterly disgusted to see an advertisement for a cigarette company in the Nov. 4 edition of The Varsity. The advertisement, which shows two individuals riding their mountain bikes in the wilderness, is another pathetic example of a tobacco corporation attempting to legitimize itself by associating its name with athleticism, when in reality, smokers usually lead unhealthy and sedentary lifestyles. How can a newspaper of The Varsity’s calibre allow itself to become an agent of hypocritical corporate propaganda, especially when the company in question is in the business of manufacturing a substance that is a leading cause of cancer, hypertension and heart disease? Under no circumstances should The Varsity allow its economic interests to compromise its principles and values.Fahad SyedCFS fights for warmer weatherI, for one, am glad the CFS referendum was held this past week. All the hot air spewed forth from the die-hard individuals trying to coerce students to Vote-Yes-or-Be-Doomed-By-The-Evil-Forces-of-Capitalism must have raised the temperature around campus at least several degrees Celsius.I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the CFS for a beautiful warm weekend! Keep it up and I’ll never go skiing this year.Paul KrzyzanowskiSt. Michael’s College
