LETTERS
Big ideas reviewed

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I cannot think when I have read any alumni magazine from cover to cover without skipping (well, maybe all those classes since my own) and must absolutely congratulate you on the splendid "Campus of the Big Ideas" (June/02). Now there is a bunch of reports that make one seriously proud of having a degree from Chicago! What's more, I even reread most of them. As the young say nowadays (I think), like, wow.
This issue will be a tough act to follow....

Elinor S. Miller, AM'54, PhD'66
Port Orange, Florida

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Only Chicago - I hope only Chicago-could come up with a list of "big issues and big problems" in the year 2002 and fail to address the eco-crisis, even indirectly. When I see the specter of ecological collapse, I also see Chicago's leaders standing around in confusion, arms akimbo, saying "Wha' happen?" I can only conclude they all try really hard not to see the big purple dinosaur in the room. Chicago's failure to address this most urgent problem in any meaningful way is very embarrassing to alumni of conscience.

Jennifer P. Thurber, AB'84
Cincinnati

Ecological concerns were a part of the symposium Why do we dig up the past?, in which earth-sciences historiographer Susan Kidwell discussed her work with ecologists and conservation biologists. Information on the College's degree program in environmental studies is online. The inter-disciplinary program includes faculty from the biological, physical, and social sciences, as well as the Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies.-Ed.

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