Dear President Marx,

I am writing your office because I have reached a sort of impasse and have found no alternate course of action. Recognizing that this is a busy season for all of us, I will not bother you with petty concerns, but I would petition for a moment of your time to consider this instance of low ethics at Amherst College.

I am an alumnus, as well as an independent contractor, and this October, I sent out two invoices representing the completion of three graphic designs; one for the BSU, two for the athletics department. The designs were put onto products; the products were distributed to the Amherst community.

At the end of the month I received a letter from the comptroller's office indicating that the College intends to "net" my total earnings, on both projects, against my outstanding tuition fees.

I was very concerned to receive this notice, as you can imagine, so I called the comptroller's office and asked if there was any recourse available. He said, flatly, no, and assured me that this was a "good faith" measure.

I did not then, and I will not now, contest the fact that I owe money to the College. It is true that I incurred a sizable debt during my time there. It is also true that I intend to pay every cent of that. I believe an education is something priceless. These funds however, were set aside for some of my more immediate needs, e.g., my heating and electric bills.

The work that was contracted independently, and the corresponding funds, appear to me unrelated to debts incurred as a student. In fact, it appears highly unethical for the college to conflate these numbers, particularly when the debt, and the contract do not represent comparable amounts.

I want to bring to your attention that this is, in effect, a sort of indentured servitude where the college and community benefit directly from work I have completed in love, and I receive zero compensation.

Is this acceptable? Is this what Amherst means to represent in the new millennium? Is it shocking and offensive? Or, does this reflect what we know about Lord Jeffery Amherst's means-to-an-end legacy? What I ask is that you please use your discretion and tact to help in the negotiation of this extremely base matter. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Evan Washington Clarke Nabrit '06E