I'm writing this letter in response to Adwait Chawathe's criticism of the King/Pennay plan to improve education. I fully agree with you that a non-native instructor is just as capable of being an excellent or poor educator as a native, and Mike does not dispute that fact either. I have worked with King for several years now, and I assure you, he only wants what is best for students and teachers alike.

One of my best instructors was Austrian, so I will be the first to attack anyone who judges an individual on the basis of their nationality. But I can not ignore the fact that there is a definite language barrier in some classrooms at this University. Some instructors have difficulty making themselves understood, and this is a frustrating situation for teachers trying to teach, and students trying to learn. King and Pennay want to help these teachers through student involvement in the mandatory speech communication classes they already take.

Diversity is very important at a large University, and the King/Pennay ticket wants to make sure no language barrier prevents students from achieving a multi-perspective education.

In addition to your comment that this is King/Pennay's only platform plank, I encourage you and everyone to read their full statement on file in the Reserve Reading Room at Pattee and attend the next debate. I'm certain they will convince you, as they have persuaded me, that they truly have the students' best interests at heart.