Just a coincidence

To the editor:

We wish to clarify the Yale Hillel's position on diversity as stated in your article "Panels discuss flaws of Levin's diversity plan," [YH 3/4/99]. Unlike the African-American house panel, our Tues., Mar. 2 panel was not a reaction to President Richard Levin's, GRD '74, proposal. The timing was coincidental. The panel had originally been scheduled for February; it was moved to accommodate our speakers.

Some Jewish students feel the current tenure issue is of particular relevance to our community due to discriminatory hiring practices that Yale once practiced against Jews. At our November student board meeting, we decided not to take a position as an organization but rather to educate ourselves about the issues. The panel was part of this education. Participants were carefully chosen to represent both sides of the issue and to address the history of Jewish faculty at Yale. Yale Hillel takes no official position regarding tenure. We seek only to facilitate discussion on issues relevant to the Jewish community.

—Sophie Oberfield, SY '00
Brandon Smith, DC '01
Hillel Student Coordinators

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