Most of the petitioners justified their request on the grounds of the humane treatment of animals and the belief that sheepskin diplomas are an unnecessary sacrifice.
Assistant Professor of Computer Science Scott Kaplan '95 wrote in an email to Gerety, "My objection is merely on that of the humane treatment of animals. While I recognize that there are uses of animals on which I rely-I cannot claim to be a vegetarian-I would prefer not to use sheepskin when adequate substitutes exist."
Also in an email to Gerety, Professor of Mathematics Norton Starr wrote, "Mammals have feelings, and relatively frivolous damage to them for such decorations as diplomas are not vital for human survival."
Yesterday, Gerety emailed the senior class, asking for their feelings on the matter.
"The College uses animals and animal products in a variety of settings, as you know," wrote Gerety. "Many of you eat meat in our dining halls. Nearly all of you use leather shoes and belts. Our laboratory scientists often use live animals in their experiments."
Associate Professor of Religion Janet Gyatso wrote to Gerety suggesting that Amherst become a model for other institutions to follow.
"Something important would be gained: Amherst College would be signaling its ethical concern for animals, and its will to eliminate as much participation in the harming of animals as possible," Gyatso wrote.
"We offer students at Amherst many options to live their lives on campus according to their principles, and many choose not to eat meat and in other ways show their respect for animals," said Professor of Fine Arts and American Studies Carol Clark. "To give these students their diplomas on sheepskin contradicts the way they have lived here."
Noah T. Winer '01 also joined the appeal, writing to Gerety, "As a member of Veggie, the student vegetarian interest group, and as an individual with a belief in the humane and ethical treatment of all living beings who can experience pleasure and pain, I urge you to consider this request seriously. I do not hold that humans and animals have equal rights, but that they have the right to equal consideration."
Seniors currently have the option of cotton-stock paper diplomas. Before lending its support to the faculty petition, Veggie approached Registrar Gerald Mager with the complaint that the paper alternative is not readily available on the general form that seniors fill out concerning their diploma. "By default a student would get a sheepskin diploma," said Winer. Veggie wanted the College to present both the sheepskin and paper options as check boxes on the form. Winer explained that with check boxes, "Each student would be making a deliberate choice."
Professor of English Andrew Parker said that he "had not known at the time he signed the petition that students had the option of paper or cloth diplomas. I am pretty satisfied with there being options."
Professor of Physics Kannan Jagannathan echoed Parker's sentiment. "I did not know, at the time I signed the petition, that students already had the option of requesting an alternative to sheepskin," he said. "Since the option is apparently there, I am no longer concerned with this issue, except that, like me, many students might also not know the choice they have."
Winer said that he anticipates that when the student body becomes more aware of the sheepskin issue, "there are definitely people who will not care." However, Winer added that "very few people are really set on the idea of a sheepskin diploma." Winer also commented on his expectation that many might find the practice of printing a formal document on the skin of an animal somewhat disgusting. "It seems very crude in a lot of ways," he said.
Another petitioner, Professor of Philosophy Alexander George, said, "My primary motivation is to behave respectfully toward animals, and of course to avoid the possibility of transmitting BSE, or 'mad-cow disease,' to some over-excited student who takes to licking or possibly eating his or her diploma."