Prod. Editor's Note:

Due toacomplicated computer thingy, last week's letter ‘from Phil Ferraro came out in a foreign language. Here is Mr. Ferraro's letter as it should have appeared.

To the Editor:

Your response to the Maclean’s magazine rating of universities said nothing to convince me that the survey was inaccurate. The point made that the value ofan institution cannot be measured by a their party is valid. However, it cannot be successfully defended on the notions of hometown pride.

Rather than trying to convince readers that they are not swim- ming in the bottom of the barrel, the campus press should argue from the viewpoint of creativity and uniqueness, standards which set UPEI programs on the leading edge of a curriculum that is relevant to the 90s.

“‘To integrate your traditional values with the evolving trends fora global society.”’ This is the memory engraved in granite on campus by the class of 1969. Did Maclean’s miss this aspect of the university or did the contemporary nature of this school’s programs extinguish with the idealism of the 60s? Maclean’s may be misrepresenting the university due to its selection of criteria with which to evaluate education. However, if there is any Credibility to its claim then the student body should use the

Survey as partial evidence for the need to restructure the curriculum.

In a world on the verge of ecological calamity with virtually every issue one could list, relevant education means that eco- logical consciousness must be present in every program. Envi- ronmental conservation in the 1990s is as essential for prepa- ration in life as the Three R’s. Any subject presented without regard to its ecological consequences should be reevaluated.

The traditions of PEI are founded upon a determination to created a self-reliant/sustainable culture. This history, as well as the Island’s contemporary issues, make it an ideal location for learning to harmonize with nature.

The Institute for Island Studies, located on the UPEI campus, is one example of this institutions’ link to environmental concerns. Hosting a recent international conference on Island self-reliance is only one of the many notable accomplishments of the Institute. In 1 987, these Island Studies people commis- sioned George McRobie, author of Small is Possible, to tour the

Island in order to observe that environmental education ip.

formal education sector was ‘‘in obvious need’’.

Although, McRobie witnessed a Strong infrastructure with { potential for Sustainability, he noted that the education , training designed to motivate and equip people for self-relian has been neglected for several generations and is now in ne ofhigh priority.

These qualities, according to McRobie, are gained throu; student directed problem solving where students learn €conor ics and sociology by doing projects in a community. T Students’ role is to unfold environmental options for communi development. Business organizations and workers Study ne forms of relationships and on farm research of sustainab| technologies assists regional agriculture. A Sustainable educ; tion program enhances local economic development throug apprenticeship programs. Energy resources (in our case wing solar and water) are studied fro their potential. In som instances money for local enterprises can be raised through th development of ethical investment funds.

Concerns for the ecological and social relevance of moder education is the mo St serious evaluation today’s students shoul: be concerned with. The incorporation of these aspects o| education into the formal Program is a claim most universitie;

“are ill prepared to make. The Institute for Island Studies is an

inspiring beginning to this Process. How far its ideals have been able to permeate the university curriculum is the real Standard by which to evaluate the institution. ,

Phil Ferraro

CORRECTION

In last week’s story ‘ ‘Tops off to talking about breasts,’’ the second last paragraph should have read:

“‘This lack of connection between issues is an obvious flaw in | what Gwen Jacob calls ‘‘the third wave of capital F Feminism’’

(Yikes. If this is third wave feminism then I ain’t goin’ to no beach).”’