Private Colleges
Editor: William F. Maloney neglects to mention in his Oct. 2letter that Maryland's independent institutions of higher education are grappling with a 25 percent reduction in state funding this year, with the possibility of further cuts lurking just ahead.
Like their public counterparts, the state's independent colleges and universities have willingly weathered the vicissitudes of Maryland's fiscal climate for years, and to suggest that they be eliminated from consideration in the budget is short-sighted, at best.
It should be noted that one of the unique aspects of the American higher education system is a strong and vital independent sector made possible by its tax exempt status. The existence of an independent sector relieves the public of an additional tax burden of more than $12 billion annually.
Furthermore, all deserving students should have the choice between public and independent institutions regardless of financial circumstances. Low and middle income families must have this opportunity for their children and special efforts must be made to increase the participation of minority students.
Finally, between 1970 and 1988, institutionally provided aid to undergraduates at independent institutions increased by 102 percent (after inflation). Independent institutions cannot afford to increase financial aid expenditures from their own resources at the current rapid rate. More federal and state financial aid is vital.
A balance of public and independent higher education, and the continued support of both, is essential if Maryland is to regain its economic vigor.
Rev. Joseph A. Sellinger, S.J.
Baltimore.
The writer is president of Loyola College in Maryland.
Good News, Bad
Editor: The recent good news from UNICEF that its goal of immunizing 80 percent of the world's children had been accomplished seems to have gone largely unnoticed. What should really have our attention is the relatively poor showing that our own nation made in those statistics. Overall, about 70 percent of U.S. children are immunized; urban areas report even fewer -- 50 percent and falling.
Both houses of Congress want appropriations to support inoculation of children, but the level of funding recommended so far will not get the job done for all of them. The American Academy of Pediatrics has claimed $336 million could assure 100 percent of the children would be reached.
What are we waiting for? Surely, our youngest citizens deserve this investment in their lives and health. Members of Congress should be urged to adopt the pediatricians' recommendation and allocate enough funding to immunize all children.
Lois M. Roeder.
Baltimore.
State Workers
Editor: Neither I nor any member of my immediate family are or ever have been employed by the State of Maryland. Nevertheless, I completely disagree with laying off state
employees.
Remember, government workers, in effect, pay part of their own salaries through taxes. And workers are consumers, who could help us buy our way out of this depression. But unemployed state workers may very well become additions to the swelling welfare rolls.
Governments, be they local, state or, especially, federal, should be the "safety net" when "bottom line" private employers lay off. It is entirely inexcusable and unconsciousable for governments to contribute to the disastrous unemployment situation. And Gov. William Donald Schaefer has made an even worse decision when he does not give credit to persons for their long years of service to the state; he denies the use of seniority and "bumping rights." So much for appreciation of loyalty.
Harry E. Bennett Jr.
Baltimore.
Fire History
Editor: In the wake of recent budget cuts, Baltimore fire stations again fall victim. Understandably, the closings of fire stations throughout the city stir questions regarding fire safety.
Consider, however, another point relative to this issue that many of us overlook -- the architectural merit of the fire stations themselves.
Many of these structures can be called nothing less than masterpieces. Built during a time when quality of life and aesthetics were a virtue, they are more than mere buildings where fire apparatus is housed. As the facades and adornments attest, they are a reflection of Baltimore's past. Their uniqueness in design will never again be duplicated.
Before these unheralded treasures are boarded up and left to the work of vandals and graffiti artists -- or allowed to be used for purposes other than what they were originally intended -- our so-called political leaders should take a closer look at some of these structures.
That is a must before they make rash decisions based on the bottom line of a balance sheet.
Joe Astasauskas Jr.
Kingsville.
Success in Curbing Truancy
Editor: Your recent editorial, "Should Cops Catch Truants?" hailed a proposed pilot program designed to decrease truancy as "a step in the right direction." The program, which would operate in Carroll and Frederick counties, would allow police officers "to catch" suspected truants and issue a civil citation to them. The police department would then forward copies of the citation to parents, the local school system, and the Department of Juvenile Services.
The proposal highlights the confusion concerning services to the truant population.
In Maryland, truants, runaways and ungovernable youth are classified as "children in need of supervision." Thus truancy is classified as a social problem rather than a criminal problem. However, the Department of Juvenile Services is responsible for providing services to truants and to youth who have committed a criminal act.
Truancy should not be addressed in formal court proceedings or in the juvenile justice system. Surely valuable police time is better spent on the exploding population of youth who are exhibiting criminal behavior.
There are a number of national and local responses that effectively address truant behavior.
In Baltimore, the Choice Program contacts its clients two to five times a day, every day of the year. Depending on the individual youth's needs, the Choice caseworkers, working with parents or guardians, provide a number of services: they may wake up the child, take him or her to school if necessary, do daily school checks for those not requiring such efforts, and, in certain cases, sit in class with the youngster.
Choice has forged positive relationships with local principals as well. If the troubled youth is not in school or is causing problems while in school, the principal calls the Choice caseworker. The caseworker immediately responds, thus avoiding a crisis situation and sending a clear message to the youth that attendance at school and good behavior in school are critical.
The results are encouraging: Arundel Elementary in Baltimore City has experienced significant reduction in truancy and has not suspended a youth in two years.
Truancy is a critical problem. Why struggle with a whole new set of questions when we already have effective solutions? We need not debate the merits of a proposed program. We need to implement what we already know works. Now.
Mark K. Shriver.
Baltimore. 2
The writer is director of the Choice Program.
Call the Police
Editor: I am a native Baltimorean who has worked in the black community for 50 years. I am aware of the many problems that have existed and do exist in this community.
Over the years, I have heard and seen politicians, church leaders and "community" leaders pontificate about the drug scene and murder. History has shown that their words and deeds have had no results.
I suggest that there is a basic answer. People, and only people, can give the solution to these problems by their cooperation, either directly or indirectly, with persons within the area of law enforcement.
It is only individuals who can come forward by mail, the telephone or in person to law enforcement personnel regarding lawbreakers.
Until the black community rises up to volunteer information regarding criminal activities, that community will remain captive to the lawless elements and will lose any vestige of community dignity.
Jack Lerner.
Baltimore.