THE EDITOR, Sir: THE CANADIAN Broadcasting Corporation Radio News has just reported that Bernard Gooden, an immigrant to Canada and native of Jamaica, who was recently killed in action in Iraq, is a former student of York University. According to the report, he "could not afford the tuition fees" and so he joined the US Marines and was sent, as it has turned out, to his death. As a professor at York University, I feel very saddened by the loss of this life, by this tragedy in which a bright and ambitious young man was entrapped, like so many others, into serving in an unnecessary, illegal and wretchedly motivated war. I wish to extend my condolences to his relatives and friends in Jamaica. I have asked that the university's flag be flown at half mast. I am, etc., ZILPHA ELLIS zellis@yorku.ca Mississauga Ontario, Canada Via Go-Jamaica