To the Editor:

What a difference 30 years can make. The same fortnight that has seen the world’s press honor former Secretary of State Cyrus R. Vance ’39 for his integrity, honesty, and commitment to principle now witnesses the stunning failure of Strobe Talbott ’68 to honor his commitment to build a Center for the Study of Globalization at Yale. And why? Because, Talbott tells us, “we all have to make decisions for ourselves” (“Talbott to leave for Washington: Globalization director to head Brookings,” 1/25).

Not for the University.

They sure don’t make them like they used to, even at Yale. It’s no wonder that the man is such a pal of Bill Clinton LAW ’73.

Nor has Talbott been alone in taking Yale for a ride. Not surprisingly, his wife Brooke Shearer has announced that she will leave her post as executive director of Yale’s new World Fellows Program even though its first fellows have not yet arrived in New Haven.

Yale doesn’t need people like Talbott and Shearer. Let’s hope that University President Richard Levin, in his moment of well-earned shame, understands that it never needed them. Yale’s engagement with the world deserves a foundation marked by some integrity.

Michael J. Montesano ’83

January 25, 2002