Stephanie Pekarsky

Dear Ms. Jesse Rosenblum:

We have been handed a chance to reconnect with the city of Trenton. For the

first time, we have been given the chance to host a junior golf clinic on

this campus, with golf star Tiger Woods putting in guest appearances and

Nike providing the funds. I can see only positives if we decide to undertake

this project.

Ever since we changed our name from Trenton State College to The College of

New Jersey, we have been accused of trying to distance ourselves from

Trenton. If we decide to host this junior golf clinic, we will not only be

giving the children of Trenton a wonderful opportunity but will be showing

both alumni and prospective students that we still care about the

surrounding

community.

The junior golf clinic is free, and will allow children with lesser means to

immerse themselves in a sport that is becoming a prime extracurricular

activity to people everywhere. Children who have nothing to do this summer

can keep themselves busy by doing something constructive and, by doing this

on a college campus, experiencing an atmosphere of higher education. The

children will also be able to meet someone who is considered among many to

be

a positive role model.

Tiger Woods has shown how he has overcome the obstacle of his race by

becoming involved in a race that, until now, has been predominantly for the

rich white community. Evem more than this, he has become a star in that

sport. Tiger Woods has gained the respect of all races with what he has

accomplished.

We can give these children something they normally would not be able to

afford, and at the same time, improve our image among people who are unhappy

with our name change.

There are just a few considerations that have come up in regards to Nike and

Tiger Woods being in this campus. Nike is one of the organizations

associated with sweatshop labor and Tiger Woods is one of their prime

spokesmen.

As you are aware, a small group of students has come to us asking us to sign

a no sweat pledge. With the signing of this document, the administration

would renounce its relationship with all companies associated with sweatshop

labor. If we host a program that includes having Nike and Tiger Woods on

this campus, we could lose credibility with a number of students. This

program may seem to go against everything they are fighting for.

We would not be able to run the program without Nike. We would not be able

to afford it. If we chose not to host this program, it would seem as if we

were distancing ourselves even more from Trenton.

We need to consider which choice would do the greater amount of good. In my

opinion, there are more pros than cons if we host this program. By allowing

Nike to be on our campus, we are not actually initiating a business

relationship between us. We are only providing the site for a very

worthwhile program. Again, looking at the greater amount of good for the

greater amount of people, this program would provide an amazing opportunity

for many of the children in the Trenton area, as well as promoting the

college's desired image of being in touch with the community. These

positives greatly outweigh the result of perhaps angering the few students

who are behind the no sweat pledge.

I hope that you will take all this into consideration and end up with the

same conclusion I did - hosting this program is the best thing we can do.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Pekarsky

Office of College Relations