Letters to the editor

Social responsibility not learned in a classroom

To the editor:

Matt Meyerhoffer's article ("Repairing a liberal arts education," Oct. 13) caught my attention. As a student in both the Leavey School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences, I can say that his premise is rather immature and elementary. Most likely this is due to Mr. Meyerhoffer's ignorance of business school realities, as he is a student of only Arts and Sciences.

The idea that one will gain understanding of social responsibility and social benefit from a third language, second natural science and fine-arts class is laughable. If one is to believe Meyerhoffer's argument then I must have picked up valuable lessons on social responsibility while studying the differences of alto and tenor saxophone or studying the process of natural selection in finches.

Obviously, Mr. Meyerhoffer is wrong. These requirements have little effect on my concept of social responsibility.

Perhaps ideas of social responsibility are imparted in non-academic manners. My Arrupe placement experience, activities within my Residential Learning Community and the general Santa Clara community involvement have had the most impact. Perhaps Mr. Meyerhoffer should branch out from his Arts and Sciences shell and attempt to develop from the true liberal education that Santa Clara offers.

Andy Western

Economics/political science '06