To the Editor:
Not being on campus this term and thus relying on The Dartmouth for news of the tragic events in Hanover, it is clear that these events have brought to the surface other issues with which our community needs to deal. The Dartmouth states, "The police asked the student if he was angry about the 'B' grade he received in Zantop's class, in an attempt at finding a motive.
"The student told The Dartmouth that he was 'happy' about the 'B' because he got it without having done most of the required reading for the class." It is sad to say, but the incidence of complaint, harassment and even intimidation of faculty by students who have been given less than the grade of "A" in a course (note I did not say earned) have increased dramatically in recent years. That the police can consider the grade of "B" a motive of murder is an horrendous indictment of the current academic climate. Furthermore, that the student could be "happy" about not having done most of the required reading in a course displays a cynicism concerning our academic purpose at Dartmouth that is simply disheartening.
