To the Editor:
I was saddened that the University of Missouri was unable to deal with issues that are becoming more commonplace on campuses across the country.
From one perspective, the lack of leadership exhibited by the president made his resignation inevitable. Ensuring that the university is a safe and comfortable place to learn is the most important job of its administrators. And negotiating reasonable arrangements with the teaching staff on issues like health care should not be that controversial for seasoned professionals.
Nonetheless, students, and now athletes, should use their influence with discretion. Before threatening to shut down classes and cancel football games that are so important to the school and game attendees, campus leaders must be sure that their concerns are noble and reasonable. Small groups of outspoken students should not set the agenda for the much larger student body.
SALVATORE J. BOMMARITO
New York
