TO THE EDITOR:
I vehemently reject the anti-rodent sentiments reflected by Isaac Hellemn’s letter yesterday (“Students: Beware of the undocumented squirrels,” Sept.29).
Rather than being a “silent horde of invaders,” as Hellemn claims, squirrels are a valuable resource to this University. Squirrels perform work that most Americans won’t do. For example, without squirrels to pick up our acorns, we would quickly be buried under nuts every fall.
Squirrels also perform the important function of eating our trash. I have personally observed squirrels eating apple cores, entire slices of pizza, even a squirrel devouring a cigarette.
Without squirrels, we would soon be overrun with litter.
Finally, squirrels serve to provide food for the hawks which also inhabit campus. Since students have so far been unwilling to hire professional falconers to feed the hawks, many squirrels bravely sacrifice their lives to perform this vital duty.
Squirrels are an important part of this University, and should be better appreciated and protected for the services that they perform. I extend a walnut of appreciation to our small furry worker friends.
Christopher Jones
Senior
History and PWA
