To the Editor:

As a former graduate student of Princeton University and a frequent swimmer in Dillon Gym, I too wish to add a few words to Anne Levin’s article on the same subject [Town Topics, June 20, page one]. My thoughts parallel additional Letters to the Editor. Of those, perhaps that of Brian Philippi follows mine most closely.

For the next months until January 1, as I join swimmers whom I’ve known for the past 20 years while swimming in Dillon Pool, I will be ashamed to admit that I am one of the privileged to continue benefiting from services open only to those members of the public previously associated with the University.

Using “overcrowding” as a cardinal reason for denying other local residents is at best ridiculous. But it does happen, every summer, when children of various ages join camps to enjoy and crowd the shallow end of the pool. Isn’t that what Princeton University is about? The community’s best friend and neighbor? There is no difference between these young paying customers and the long-term senior pool users. Will the University also cancel these and other important services to the residents, as our taxes increase to sustain the community, fully cognizant of the institution’s available funding.

As suggested by previous contributors to the paper, at the very least the University should allow all grandfathered members to continue their membership until such time that the directors sitting in their lofty towers can figure out how to embrace our community in the way it deserves.

EVA JANA SIROKA

Cedar Lane