Philip's Letter

Philip Ross

175-## Wexford Terrace

Jamaica, NY 11432

Letter to the Editor;

At the June 16, 2008 Jamaica Estates Civic Association meeting, the secretary of the board provided a report of a recent meeting between members of the association and the president of Saint John’s University (SJU), Father Donald Harrington. The purpose of the meeting was to address the community’s dissatisfaction concerning SJU off campus dormitory’s presently being built on Henley Road in the heart of our residential community. A series of questions from the membership ensued, which Mr. Joseph Sciame Vice President of Community Relations at SJU attempted to address.

One of the questions/comments posed to Mr. Sciame and Arthur Flug Chairman of the Association, was if SJU Queens campus is located outside the perimeters of the Jamaica Estates community, why does SJU include in their literature that their “Queens’ campus is located in the beautiful Jamaica Estates community”. Mr. Sciame was quick to respond, that as a result of SJU strategic plan they will no longer refer to the school as the Jamaica Estates campus but as the Queens campus because the word “Jamaica” carries a negative connotation which could adversely influence the decision of out of town students.

I, for one consider SJU’s plan insulting, elitist and racist. Saint John’s University is modifying their brochures and literature, not to correct an error, but to target an audience that might find the name Jamaica offensive!

Saint John’s University has had no qualms in creating this massive intrusion in our lives, altering the character of our community, negatively impacting our property values, compromising our quality of life, and now they are even insulting our community’s name!

Write and share your outrage with Father Harrington,

Saint John’s University

8000 Utopia Parkway

Jamaica, NY 11439

Sincerely,

Philip Ross

Member of the

Concerned Residents of Jamaica Estates

And

Jamaica Estates Civic Association