This isn’t why we fund universities

I am bothered by the many reports that some of our outstanding college basketball players are leaving school after their freshman, sophomore or junior years to enter the field of professional basketball.

As an Illinois resident I pay my state income tax, as do all of us, and some of those dollars go to our public universities. These funds provide classrooms and professors for our students so they may proceed to obtain a college degree, enter the business world, and become productive citizens. Often the number of classroom seats and professors is limited, and even qualified college applicants are turned down.

It is disturbing to see that some of those seats, and even scholarships, are taken by student-athletes who then leave in early years before getting their degree. That is not why we taxpayers fund our public universities. Perhaps we should adopt a policy of requiring student-athletes upon admission to sign a binding agreement that they will continue to remain in school for the necessary four years and obtain a degree.

That’s what higher education is all about: Get that degree. Am I wrong? Perhaps so, judging from the tremendous publicity I see in our newspapers about our great college basketball players and their leaving school early in order to obtain big bucks in the professional leagues. (And being a graduate of the University of Kansas, perhaps I best become quiet on the subject...)

Theodore M. Utchen

Wheaton

Get the facts before taking cheap shot

In her April 2, column, Froma Harrop had a long discussion about the various homes that Mitt Romney owns. A great deal of research went into finding the square footage and acreage of the various homes. She made great sport of the renovation of his California home being renovated with an elevator for a car.

She evidently has not done enough research to learn that Anne Romney has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The Romneys have not hidden this fact since she was diagnosed. In an interview which I saw, Mitt Romney told of the day that he and Ann sat is the doctor’s office and were given the diagnosis. He was in shock, hardly able to take in such devastating news. In a few moments when he could think again his first thought was: What will she need to cope with this? Will we need to get just the right wheelchair for her? Should we be thinking about putting elevators in our houses?

Since that day they have been careful to not let her get too fatigued as that brings on relapse and, to start her on a program of physical activity suited to her. She has taken up dressage equestrian riding. She had used traditional and nontraditional therapies for her illness.

Ms. Harrop seems to think that there is no explanation for the elevator for a car in their California house but an example of the excesses of the super rich. For all the writer knows all of these arrangements could have been planned with Mrs. Romney’s health in mind. Before taking such a cheap shot, she should get all the facts; unless she likes the taste of egg on her face.

Priscilla Weese

Wheaton