To the Editor:

For all the debate in recent weeks about whether the Rev. W. David Lee DIV ’93 would make an “appropriate Corporation member,” I have heard very little discussion of what exactly this phrase means. To my view, it is by no means an inconsequential question.

What, exactly, does a Corporation member do, and what should qualify him or her for the job? Why do some people think that distinguished alumni make for better Corporation members? Do they hope that “distinguished” means “good at making difficult decisions”? Or do they hope Corporation members will donate to the University? In the end, what do we want most in a Corporation member — the opinions he or she has? The connections he or she brings?

Any of these options are genuine possibilities — and valid ones. But without answers, the debates about Lee and Maya Lin ’81 ARC ’86 seem rootless and difficult to evaluate.

Shayna Strom ’02

March 31, 2002