However, the privacy of one fourth of the student body is a high price to pay for an informed public. Thanks to the Crimson's front-page coverage this unfortunate incident has been brought to the attention of the entire Harvard community. Now anyone with an ounce of tenacity can easily get his or her hands on a comprehensive list of work-study recipients.
Perhaps certain significant events might justify compromising the privacy of such a large number of people. This, however, is definitely not such an event. The mistake in question bears no sign of malicious intent, nor is it suggestive of a trend of similar mistakes.
In the absence of a compelling reason to print this story, the privacy of one fourth of Harvard College clearly outweighs the Crimson's need to fill its front page.
Gabriel Mendlow '01
Oct. 5, 1999