To the Editor:
Sidney Frank created a scholarship fund with his gift, he did not donate $100 million to the university to use at its discretion, as Michal Zapendowski suggests ("How to make work-study fair," Oct. 14). As a student worker, I have made the choice to work now and pay off a portion of my loan instead of doing so later. Attending private school was a personal choice, and when I decided to attend Brown I was well aware of the financial ramifications. I wanted to work while attending Brown instead of going to a less costly public school. Brown has not forced me into "indentured servitude." The University has provided with me with a wonderful opportunity to make my loans lighter by paying off a portion of them now rather than later.
Some families actually chose this method as a way to share the cost of education. It's a common belief that students appreciate their education more when they have a hand in paying for it; it may even build character.
While participating in the work-study program, I have in fact taken five classes in one semester and competed on the track team as well. Never once have I had to "clean up or serve food to a student from a richer family," as Zapendowski put it. If I did work for UFS, as I believe Zapendowski is referencing, I don't see how having to cook or clean would have made me any less of a person than those eating my food and making the mess. Our economy is based upon equal people earning wages by doing services for one another.
Working at Brown has been a blessing. In my co-workers at the Rock I have found friendships and an incredible work ethic that are worth far more than my $7.35 an hour, which, in my opinion, isn't all that bad.
Meghan Gourley '05Oct. 14
