The University's decision to limit Courtesy Scholarships to natural or legally adopted children is consistent with the Internal Revenue Code, Section 177, which allows the benefit to be available only to employees for such dependents on a tax-free basis.
Pat Douglass, Human Resources
However, I was even more surprised to see that Emory Report gave it such a highlighted position. The article and positioning dripped of yellow journalism, and I thought Emory Report was above such behavior. I suppose not.
William Morse, Law School
But my point in writing is really to applaud Emory Report for providing a prominent space in which truly opposing viewpoints can be aired. The pursuit of diversity, after all, is not simply a matter of race or sex or sexual preference, but more importantly it is a matter of differing opinions, values and beliefs. For much too long, we've witnessed the degeneration of free speech through the effective stifling of controversial viewpoints in mainstream media, as well as in the classroom. Mr. Garrett is one of a rare breed these days who dares to fly in the face of what has really become conventional opinion. No matter how vehemently I disagree with his views, I am glad that he was given a forum in which to air them. In providing this forum, Emory Report makes an important contribution to the preservation of open, unabated discourse here at Emory.
But how ironic that what sanctions Mr. Garrett's personal views is the very freedom he would deny to those whose lifestyles differ from his own. That certain lifestyles which are harmless to others are forbidden-not only through the denial of benefits extended to others, but also by the laws of the state-is an idea so undemocratic as to be laughable. Mr. Garrett doubtless would call me a "moral relativist" for this view, but he should thank his "Almighty God" that he is still free to say so.
Suzi Howard, Institutional Advancement
What I would like to emphasize is the way that Mr. Garrett engages us. "Preaching" is a genre that is most effective when one's audience (1) shares a certain religious commitment and (2) is voluntarily present. Neither of these conditions apply to the readership of the Emory Report. I and many others at Emory are not Christians, much less fundamentalist Christians. And in picking up the Report, we do not consent to be preached to. If Mr. Garrett really wants to communicate to us, he needs to find another way of doing so.
Donald Donham, Anthropology