Ivy Tech is not second fiddle to IU, or any other university\nI was extremely disappointed upon reading your recent article, "Don't Dilute My Degree," from the March 4 Indiana Daily Student. Although some valid points were made concerning whether control of educational policies should be in the hands of the legislature or the university, the gist of the article was demeaning in tone concerning the quality of an education received from Ivy Tech State College.\nThe faculty of Ivy Tech State College meet the same credentialing requirements as that of IU or any state university. The course work is just as rigorous; the curriculum material just as challenging. Admittedly, Ivy Tech does not have the same expansive facilities as some institutions in Indiana, but what correlation has been shown between expense of buildings and quality of education?\nThe author seems to have no knowledge of Ivy Tech or the quality of the educational experience provided there. The author points out some interesting facts regarding relative costs of education received from Ivy Tech versus IU. Perhaps the salient point should have been that equivalent education can be received at significantly less cost at Ivy Tech. As the editor states, "Why pay the difference if you get the same degree in the same time frame"? I would suggest that the proof is in the pudding. Statistics show that Ivy Tech grads who go on to four-year universities fare as well or better than students who attend the first two years at the university in question.\nIn summary, it takes more than a delusion of institutional grandeur to prove a qualitative difference in the education provided. It takes more than glib insults to the faculty, staff and student body of Ivy Tech State College to convince us the editors' opinion is sound.\nMonty Hughes\nProgram chair\nComputer Information Systems\nIvy Tech State College
Remember the people who fight and die so others can speak \nI have long kept silent about the ignorance of the anti-war movement, but after reading about the "The Color of War" program and one of its speakers, Keri Washington, I won't remain quiet any longer. How can an educated person make a comment like, "Soldiers are just foolish. They march around wearing a uniform and carrying a gun, and they look like little kids. But that's exactly what they are?" Does Mr. Washington not realize that his freedom to make such a ludicrous and offensive comment was made possible by sacrifice of thousands of soldiers upon the great "altar of freedom"? Do the anti-war people take for granted that it took force to establish this nation as a beacon of freedom, to free the slaves and to save the world from the twin evils of fascism and communism? Protest for peace to your heart's content but don't ever forget the men and women who died so you could do so. It's so sad that people attending a fine University would have to be reminded of such a basic fact!\nMatt Stevenson\nSophomore
