In ’08 donations, Yale trails Harvard
Yale employees, who in quarter three exclusively favored Democratic over Republican presidential candidates, are outspent heavily by professors and staff at other Ivy League universities when it comes to donating to presidential campaigns, Federal Election Commission filings indicate.
Other schools’ contribution totals were largely buoyed by higher donation rates from their public-policy professional school affiliates, Yale and Harvard University faculty members said in interviews with the News.
The filings, which are from the third quarter of 2007, indicate that 11 members...
This Harvard-centrism is a chronic affliction at Yale. Here is a classic essay on the topic that appeared in the YDN 3 years ago, captioned "In A Tale of Two Schools, Second Best Is Far Better:
http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/11934?badlink=1
An exerpt:
"We perceive our awesome dominance over (almost) all else, but humbly recognize the existence of One above us. Thus is life; how good things get is never how good we would wish them to be... It's the tragedy of human existence, and the sooner we can appreciate it, in Yale and in ourselves, the better off we will be. And if not, we can always look down on Princeton."
This reminds me of an amusing (and perhaps uncharitable) letter sent to the YDN on this topic when I was a freshman, by a Yale Law student who had graduated from Harvard:
http://www.yaledailynews.com/articles/view/9237
"As a recent alum of (Harvard) and a new student at (Yale Law School), I've been amazed at the one-sided nature of this supposed rivalry. At Harvard, few people ever mentioned Yale, let alone in a competitive spirit. Yet here, and on the pages of this publication in particular, more attention is paid to the Cambridge counterparts than is healthy or appropriate. It is rare to read an entire issue of the News without coming across the word "Harvard." I can assure this paper's readers that Harvard's daily, The Crimson, mentions Yale far less frequently.
I think the explanation for this phenomenon is as simple for Harvard kids to understand as it is painful for Yalies to hear. Harvard is better, plain and simple. If Harvard-Yale was a sibling rivalry, Harvard would be the older, more successful and accomplished child. Yale, on the other hand, would be the modestly talented younger sibling who has grown up, ever envious, in the shadow of its older brother..."
How many times does Harvard appear to be the focus of articles in the Yale Daily News? Examine these headlines culled from YDN:
December 10, 2007: "After Harvard aid move, Yale makes 'major' promises"
December 12, 2007: "Unlike Yale, Harvard recognizes its societal sway"
December 12, 2007: "Again, Yale plays catchup to Crimson"
December 12, 2007:"Harvard unveils new vision for aid"
January 15, 2008: "Yale follows Harvard in sweeping financial-aid reform targeting middle-class families"
January 15, 2008: "Following the Crimson leader"
January 17, 2008: "At Harvard, Princeton, a growth in applicant pool"
The Yale Daily News needs to increase its coverage of Harvard; the current level is clearly inadequate.