The truly needy left behind

Re “A New Home for USC Filmmakers,” by Yvonne Villarreal, March 30: As someone whose undergraduate and graduate years spanned the last time USC Cinema was building a new facility and leaving some dusty barracks behind, I feel some perspective might be helpful.

Financial support for education is vital and commendable, as is upholding certain traditions. But when these start to take the focus away from the primary function of a university, which is to honor and educate its students, then the “lessons of history” George Lucas mentions have not been learned.

The only thing a school, even a film school, should really be interested in idolizing is education, not Hollywood stars or even current donors.

Philip Mayor

Brentwood

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Hollywood’s liberal community once again shows its true colors.

George Lucas contributes $175 million toward a new facility for the USC film school and Steven Spielberg, who was rejected by that same school as a young man, jokes that “I eventually had to buy my way in.” In the meantime, the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital gives the bum’s rush to its oldest and neediest residents for lack of funds.

Burt Prelutsky

North Hills