Epp's Field Is in Demand

To the editors:

Re "Junior Prof. in Spanish Literature Promoted" (News, Feb. 9): I would like to clarify some of the comments I am reported to have made. As you imply, I am delighted by the announcement of Professor Bradley Epp's tenure. It would, however, be wholly erroneous for me to suggest that Professor Epp's field "is not one in most demand," and I certainly did not do so. The courses which he has offered since I have been at Harvard, which include courses on gay studies and comparative Romance literatures, are at the forefront of contemporary debates and are urgently in demand among the Harvard community.

Furthermore, I insist that Professor Epps not only "gives the impression of being dedicated to the students" but is, in fact, fully dedicated to every aspect of his work here at Harvard. I am very grateful to The Crimson for acknowledging Professor Epp's tremendous achievement (incidentally, 30 percent of those junior professors put forward for tenure are actually made offers; only around 10 percent are even put forward). I would, however, have appreciated your reporting my own comments more carefully. ESTHER WHITEFIELD   Feb. 11, 1998

The writer is a graduate student in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures.