November 2: BGU hits back

Pluralism and political bias were never discussed, not even once, in the entire meeting, nor were they mentioned in the decision of the Council for Higher Education that was released to the press, as misstated by your reporter.

By JERUSALEM POST READERS
Letters 370 (photo credit: REUTERS/Handout )
Letters 370
(photo credit: REUTERS/Handout )
BGU hits back
Sir, – In “Council for Higher Education gives BGU politics dept. 3 weeks to show commitment to changing curriculum” (October 31), Ronen Shuval is quoted as commenting on a meeting he did not attend. He had no idea what was discussed.
At the meeting of the Sub-Committee for Quality Assessment, members of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev presented their professional arguments to demonstrate that the university’s Department of Politics and Government had acted in good faith and fulfilled the requirements for change as recommended by the International Review Committee. A focused, professional discussion followed.
It outlined the academic themes the subcommittee would like to see strengthened, and recommended a number of additional options for effecting this change.
Pluralism and political bias were never discussed, not even once, in the entire meeting, nor were they mentioned in the decision of the Council for Higher Education that was released to the press, as misstated by your reporter.
I would like to reiterate that Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is committed to working with the council as partners to create the strongest department possible.
In recruiting additional faculty, the department is able to expand the horizon of political science that is taught to its growing number of students.
In this context, and along with the involvement of the chair of the international evaluation committee, Prof. Thomas Risse of Germany, we hope the remaining minor differences of opinion between the university and the CHE can be resolved soon.
STEVE ROSEN Beersheba The writer is deputy rector at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and responsible for its Quality Assessment Program
Our inner-child

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Sir, – Although Judy Montagu (“In from the cold”,” In My Own Write, October 31) calls herself “an armchair therapist,” she does an excellent job of describing the inner-child we all have within.
Nevertheless, she quotes experts who say we cannot meet unmet childhood needs with someone we encounter as adults, whereas Imago Relationship experts find that a committed partner is able to help with the unmet needs of childhood.
This is one of the tenets of Imago and one of our professional goals. It is hard work and probably requires assistance from an Imago therapist, but it can be done.
CHARLOTTE SLOPAK GOLLERJerusalem The writer is a clinical psychologist and certified Imago therapist and workshop presenter
Card them
Sir, – With regard to “Dagan back after liver transplant “ (October 28), had the former head of the Mossad, Meir Dagan, remained in Israel waiting for a liver rather than flying to Belarus under an assumed identity, he would have died.
More than 100 Israelis die every year waiting on “the list.” I do not know if Dagan bought his liver or used his contacts to get to the top of the Belarus waiting list. But I have my suspicions, and given his former high-ranking government position, I believe there should be an independent inquiry.
During the upcoming Israeli election period I would like to offer a new tactic to publicize the need for organ donors.
Journalists should pepper public figures running for office with the question: Do you have an organ donor card? A candidate for public office would not have my vote – and should not have yours – if he or she does not have enough of a sense of civic duty to care about other people, even in death.
If they don’t have an organ donor card, they shouldn’t be voted into office. I’m 100-people-peryear- dead serious.
ROBBY BERMAN New York
The writer is founder and director of the Halachic Organ Donor Society


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