Dr. Sonya Bahar

Center for Neurodynamics

Department of Physics

University of Missouri at St Louis

24 August 2001

Marc Brodsky (via e-mail)

CEO and Executive Director

American Institute of Physics

One Physics Ellipse

College Park, Maryland 20740

Dear Dr. Brodsky,

I am extremely concerned by what I have heard about Physics Today's treatment of its staff in general as well as in the particular case of Dr. Jeff Schmidt. I am considering dropping my subscription to your journal, since I do not wish in any way to financially support the policies which have apparently been instituted in the Physics Today office.

I would appreciate an explanation of the situation. In particular, is it correct that your office has forbidden private conversations among employees? If this is correct, have you been contacted by the ACLU? Are you aware of the gigantic damage such a policy might do to the public image of Physics Today? I can assure you, speaking from within the community of scientists, that there will be very little support for such reactionary policies among Physics Today subscribers, from graduate students to named chair faculty.

I strongly urge you to revise such policies, if they do indeed exist, and to promote an atmosphere in the Physics Today offices that can be admired and respected throughout the scientific community.

I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Sonya Bahar