Thriving Amidst Change These pages customarily reflect the work of our faculty, students, and alumni. It is they who are the essence of the University of Miami, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements during a time of enormous vitality. But the teaching, learning, research, and publication that constitute our core could not happen without the University's invaluable infrastructure comprising most importantly the administration and staff. A prime example is our new vice president for university advancement, Michael Rierson, who joined us last fall via the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University. Michael was our first choice after a national search. He brings a wealth of fundraising, alumni relations, and public relations experience to this position. On behalf of the University community, I welcome him to the cause. Michael joins us at a fascinating time in higher education. As we move into the new millennium, higher education remains in a state of intense change. The University has thrived on that change. Increasingly, we are recognized among those few private national universities that have meant so much to our republic. The word is out. Last fall's freshman class of 1,800 was chosen from nearly 12,000 applications, a record. Our 2,000 scholar-teachers compete with great success for research funds and other recognition in the global marketplace. Reflecting our status as a national university, under the leadership of alumni association president John F. Lisk, we continue to strengthen that organization. Thanks especially to alumni and friends, philanthropy is at an all-time high. Last year we raised a record $80.3 million. We remain deeply grateful. Edward T. Foote II President

The Building of a Great University When I joined the University of Miami last fall I arrived at what I believe is the most exciting research university in America. I stepped onto this green, ever-growing campus believing in one indisputable truth: There is never an end to the building of a great university. Therefore, in partnership with the University's faculty, staff, students, and alumni, my task is to ensure that we continue to build this great, but still very young, institution. Each year there is a need to secure the resources for the University's research, teaching, and service missions. In addition, we must constantly nurture a campus, and community of faculty and students, whose shared objective is learning and scholarship. We have come further, and faster, than any other American university. But we have so much more to do. As we look forward to celebrating the University's 75th anniversary in 2001, I believe we will see more clearly how the University of Miami has quietly, and quickly, become a cherished national and international asset. Michael Rierson Vice President for University Advancement

Letters from our Readers The Rand Scheme of Things As a graduate of the Suburb and Town Design program at the University of Miami, I was happy to see Ayn Rand's novel, The Fountainhead, mentioned in your article on New Urbanism ("Embracing New Urbanism," Fall 1998). I believe what we need to do to revive our cities today is found in the philosophy that Rand espouses in her book, namely, the application of reason, egoism vs. collectivism, and laissez-faire capitalism. The present problems in architecture and urban design stem from the altruistic dictates of zoning, where the government tells people what they can and cannot do with their own land and seeks to segregate the city into functional zones for the presumed good of the public. In addition, roads are choked with traffic today because there is no incentive to construct more streets to meet the demand. Public ownership of roads removes them from the world of supply and demand. If roads were privatized, we would see the new owners competing to create the most pleasant and efficient roads possible to meet the actual demand. This scenario that I pre-sent is not far from what is envisioned by the New Urbanists. Ayn Rand's philosophy, however, provides the system of morality that is lacking today and would, therefore, prevent architects and urban designers from espousing just another altruistic alternative to what we presently need to abandon. Mark David Burger, M. Arch. '93 Denver, Colorado Postmortem on the Death Penalty Professor Winick obviously speaks from the comfortable point of view that he has never experienced the loss of a loved one due to murder. True, taking another's life as an assessment of sort for murder, does not bring the victim back, but studies show that rehabilitation of murderers is next to impossible. Winick blames Hollywood and the media, but the problem is not with what we are producing, but rather that parents fail to take a proactive role in their children's lives. There is no fear of the death penalty because lawyers drag out cases through appeals and legal maneuvers. If punishment were swift, crime would plummet. A person who murders, whether 17 years old or a woman, is still a criminal. Let's stop making criminals the victims and hold people accountable. Steve Alvarez, B.S.C. '92 via the Internet   Bruce Winick's article ("Violence Begets Violence," Fall 1998) portrays capital punishment as a catalyst of violence within society, without dealing harshly with the proven etiologies such as violent media programming, the breakdown of the family, and the devaluation of human life. These are real influences affecting our children today. With respect to violent criminal behavior, permissiveness, not punishment, begets violence. Den A. Trumbull, M.D. '81 Montgomery, Alabama   The article "Violence Begets Violence," branded as immoral my strong support of capital punishment. I support capital punishment for heinous crimes out of compassion for the victims' families and friends. Imagine how these people must feel knowing that the murderer of a loved one is in prison-keeping in shape in the gym, reading books, watching television, taking law courses. The death penalty is the only way to relieve such painful reminders, and that's not vengeance. Robert B. Frary, M.A. '61 Blacksburg, Virginia   Thank you very much for publishing the article "Violence Begets Violence" by Professor Bruce Winick. While many people do not agree with his view on capital punishment, voices like his urgently need to be heard, and I am pleased to know that Miami magazine is willing to let that happen. John H. Gebhart, B.S.E.E. '51 Nashville, Tennessee

Letters: We welcome your letters. All letters must be signed (your name will not be printed if you so request in writing) and may be edited for clarity and space. Address letters to: Elizabeth McKey, Miami magazine, P.O. Box 248105, Coral Gables, Florida 33124 E-mail: alumni.miamiletters@miami.edu

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