Hot Button   Question of the week: Do Greek organizations enhance or detract from Yale's social life? E-mail the opinion editors a short response of approximately 150 words to herald@yale.edu along with your name, college and year (anonymous entries are acceptable) by Mon., Sept. 27 and let us know what you think. Selected responses will be printed in next week's issue.

Last week's question: Are Yalies helping New Haven when they register to vote here? Students make a positive difference in New Haven when they register to vote here. Politics in New Haven have often been described as run by a "machine," where an elite few maintain power by doling out patronage in return for political support. Aldermen representing wards with Yale students, however, have traditionally led the effort to rid the city government of corruption. Without student involvement, New Haven's wards would be redistricted, with fewer aldermen apportioned to represent Yale students. This would decrease the number of aldermen who serve as independent voices for change. By registering to vote, Yalies serve a valuable function in the New Haven political process and promote independent voices on the Board of Aldermen. —Jonathan Thessin, MC '00, is President of the Yale College Democrats.