Letters to the Editor

Donnie McGrath innocent until proven guilty If the case against Donnie McGrath is confirmed as an assault case, the College can demonstrate it's integrity by distancing itself from this individual and separating itself from Mr. McGrath. That means dismissing this young man from the College. Before then, all people are innocent until found guilty.

Corrington Hwong '68

A goodbye to the 2003-2004 Cowl Being a fan of Big East Sports, I wish to congratulate the University of Connecticut both Men's and Women's Basketball teams for winning their respective NCAA Tournaments. They apparently digested the correct foods that enhanced their talents and stamina on the basketball court. Dussell P. Remoe enjoyed reading every word in the Apr. 1 issue of The Scowl. We should all laugh at ourselves more frequently in this imperfect world we live in. He is looking forward to eating mayonnaise casserole next fall. I enjoyed reading all 2003-2004 issues of The Cowl. You did an excellent job. I wish all members of The Cowl staff a happy and safe summer. I will miss the commentary of Senior Commentary Staff Stephanie Pietros '04 in the future editions of The Cowl. Ms. Pietros is one of my favorite writers. She is the personification of excellence in The Cowl Commentary. I am pushing 80, and hopefully will still be walking on top of the ground to read 2004-2005 editions of The Cowl. Thanks for publishing my letters. I estimate to have had 102 published. Watch your back as terrorism (remember Fallujah) is still with us. Support our military and God bless America. Keep your fingers crossed after Jun. 30 in Iraq. Russel P. Demoe '73 Alumni had say in AACSB accredidation Perhaps the alumni should be cited along with those mentioned in Stephanie Pietros' recent article discussing the creation of a Division of Business (March 25). When I was on the National Alumni Board in the spring of 2001, we had a small delegation of alumni leaders meet with Academic Vice President Dr. Thomas Canavan. We suggested that Providence would benefit by seeking accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Dr. Canavan was receptive to our view and acknowledged the importance of researching the requirements to consider this for PC. Since that time, Dr. Canavan has worked very diligently to do the necessary prep work leading to the recent approval by the Trustees for a Division of Business. AACSB continues to be the standard for business education among universities and a voice in encouraging curriculum priority on business ethics and social responsibility. In recent years, many private colleges have sought AACSB accreditation as a means to meet the same standards as large state universities and the Ivy League. A review of the endowments of AACSB schools indicates that the credential is a magnet for attracting investment from the corporate sector. Ms. Pietros' article questions why there is a need for a unified business dept. Having been a marketing product manager and currently a consultant for several leading financial services companies, I routinely see the need for integrated management of business disciplines. Truly Western Civ and the College's many fine liberal arts programs are distinguishing assets of which we are very proud of and which have served our alumni and students well. Achieving AACSB status will help attract top students, faculty, and employers to PC. There really is no reason why we can not be excellent at both liberal arts and business education. Starting a Division of Business and beginning the steps towards AACSB accreditation is an important opportunity to further advance Providence College's academic reputation. Kenneth G. Kraetzer '79

Gay marriage against natural law I know that each person is entitled to his opinion, but when such an opinion is so poorly founded I feel that journalism has an obligation to set the record straight. The Cowl should have an editor's note (more than a disclaimer) clarifying this issue. This is a prime teaching moment for a Catholic college. Matt Rand (in the Apr. 2 issue) is saying gay marriage is a religious issue, but the history of this topic is that even without religion more than 2000 years of civilization has had a position opposing this lifestyle and valuing family life-which starts with marriage between a man and a woman. Pending legislation and recent court decisions indicate a frontal assault on the traditional and widely accepted understanding of the essence and purpose of marriage. Catholics who defend the Sacrament of Marriage are not concerned with bigotry, but charity for souls and fidelity to the truth. Much of what we believe about marriage is not uniquely Catholic. A man and a woman joined in a permanent and exclusive covenant of love, which arises from the free exchange of their consent, for the purpose of sharing their lives with each other and raising children - this is the natural and scriptural plan for marriage, not just the Catholic plan. To that end, nature and God both intend that children be the fruit of the union of a man and a woman united in a stable, faithful relationship. Whatever might attempt to separate marriage from sexual intimacy and parenthood subverts this plan and runs contrary to both nature and Sacred Scripture, not just the teachings of the Catholic Church. To assert a "civil right" of marriage for same-sex couples is, among other things, to sacrifice the rights and best interests of children to a distortion of what both nature and God intend. The moral teachings of the Church do not oblige what is foreign to human nature, but rather they guard and fulfill our nature. To attempt to redefine the essence and purpose of sex, marriage and family life offends against both human nature and God.

Marylee MacDougall