"There are times in life when we confront values worth fighting for. This is one such time."

--from a letter to college students sent by President Bush this week.

"We oppose the buildup and use of offensive military forces...War, either in the short or long term, will not resolve the issues posed by the Gulf crisis."

--from a statement by local scientists and engineers opposed to war in the Middle East. Eight Harvard professors, including Nobel laureate Dudley R. Herschbach, signed the letter.

Back to the Beach--As president of America's wealthiest university, Derek C. Bok hasn't had a whole lot of free time over the last 20 years. So when Bok heads to a Stanford-affiliated research institution next year, he hopes to devote time to a few of the things he's neglected as president. Of course, the labor law professor says he wants to write a book about wage differentials. But Bok he also looks forward to making use of the university's athletic facilities. And although he's let his exercise program slip a bit in recent years, Bok, who was as an undergraduate was a member of Stanford's 1951 championship intramural volleyball team, says he's as fit as ever. "I can do everything now but jump," he says.

"The last thing we need in American education is a caste system. These alumni perks have absolutely nothing to do with an individual's qualifications or merit."

--The usually conservative Senate Minority Leader Robert Dole (R-Kansas) calling for a review of whether the government should allow colleges such as Harvard to give children of alumni preference in admissions.

We knew the name was good for something--a recent study by researchers at Michigan State University concluded that this year's graduating seniors will face the worst job market in at least two decades. Career advisors here, however, promise that Harvard students won't feel the pinch too much. "In what seems to be a gloom and doom year for recruiting, the Harvard students definitely seem to have an advantage," says Judy Murray, recruiting coordinator for the Office of Career Services.

Third time is a charm--Word got out last week that Harvard Law Professor Lance M. Liebman, a popular figure with faculty and students alike, was the top candidate for the dean's post at Columbia Law School. For Liebman, who was an associate dean at Harvard Law School and served on the Yale Corporation for several years, this marks the third time in recent years he's been considered in a search for major academic position. Two years ago, Liebman made the short list for Harvard Law's top post, although rumor had it he later withdrew his name from consideration because he didn't really want the job. Earlier this year, Liebman's name surfaced again, this time in the highly secretive search for Harvard's president.

"It was sheer domination."

--Andrew H. Serotta '91, on the Harvard chess team's sweep of the 1990 Pan-American Intercollegiate Chess Championship last month.

"We can't win games from the penalty box."

--Goalie Allain Roy '92, on the Harvard men's hockey team's losses to St. Lawrence and Clarkson over the weekend.