Dear Editor,

In the October 10, 2002 issue of The Mass Media, Adalino Cabral of Medford, in “An Open Letter to Dr. Gora,” urged that our English Department offer the “more prestigious Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree,” instead of its currently offered Master of Arts degree.Without commenting on whether one or the other degree represents a more prestigious program, I would like to inform your readers that I have raised with the Department of English the issue of our offering the MFA degree. The discussion was rather brief and I will be continuing it with the department. My view is that it is not wise to take an either/or position in respect to the two programs, but rather consider all options, including the potential of offering both.I commend Adalino Cabral for publicly raising the issue.

Sincerely,Paul FonteynProvost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs