In response to "New university president offers thoughts, insights on coming years," (SN 1/10), President Simon's "thoughts" are devoid of meaning and are contradictory.

First, President Simon addresses broad issues and facts we have read about in the daily newspaper for years. Daily news publications have thoroughly documented issues of MSU's faltering marriage with society and the significance of the budget crises on public higher education. We know those issues exist. What students, staff and faculty want to know is: How are you going to confront those issues?

This brings me to my second distress. President Simon continuously addresses the university populace as "we" and "us" throughout the article. "...each of us made a choice to come to Michigan State..." "... all of us ... have a special responsibility ..."

In the last paragraph however, she changes the context to address "us" as outsiders. "That is our pledge to you, the pact that we make with our students and our stakeholders ..." This is not only contradictory in specifying unity as a university, but it is improper use of the English essay format. That is something I learned freshman year in ATL 150. I was a freshman when I learned this, not the president of one of the nation's largest pioneering land-grant universities and a model of public higher education.

President Simon needs to lead by stating well thought-out goals and direction and by planning quality programs for advancement. Rushing out devoid, meaningless hot air to students, staff and faculty will only act to suspend us in a solution of perpetual mediocrity and diminishing reputation.

Sanjay Bisht
packaging senior