Reader Commentary

University fundraising is thriving

To the Editor:
Your editorial "Fundraising woes" (Aug. 29, 2012) sadly misrepresented the true state of fundraising at Brandeis. By relying upon federal tax filings that are already dated by the time of their release, you greatly understated the amount of money actually received from Brandeis supporters in recent years. In fact, President Fred Lawrence just led Brandeis to another strong fundraising year, marking the 13th consecutive year the university has exceeded $60 million in gifts received.

In the future, it will be far more enlightening for your readers if you use the figures Brandeis files annually through the universally accepted Voluntary Support of Education Survey conducted by the Council for Aid to Education.

—Bill Burger and David E. Nathan

Bill Burger is the Associate Vice President of Communications and David E.

Nathan is the Director of Development Communications.

Sigma Alpha Mu needs recognition

In response to your article, “Nine Percent of student body involved in Greek life,” (Jan. 31)
What about Sigma Alpha Mu? Sammy at Brandeis has been a nationally 
recognized, award winning fraternity powerhouse at Brandeis for decades.
[Vice President and Dean of Student Life Rick] Sawyer is in the unique position to end the ongoing Greek life 
prejudice, if for no other reason than to help out the school’s Annual 
Fund which would undoubtedly see an increase in alumni support if the 
school abandoned its antiquated philosophies towards these social 
institutions, whose continued growth is underestimated in this article, 
that continue to fill a huge void at Brandeis.

—Andrew Katznelson ’99