Once again Mitch Pearlstein has offered us a provocative commentary with his Aug. 15 piece suggesting that perhaps fewer people should go to a four-year college or university and more to a career-preparatory program in a community or technical school ("A little less education ..."). I believe a better alternative would be to find channels by which the graduates of our colleges and universities are vigorously encouraged to follow up their bachelor's or master's degrees with a vocational program in one of our state's community or technical colleges. The sword cuts both ways. The technical and community colleges must also create channels to encourage graduates to move on to one of our four-year colleges or universities in order to obtain a liberal arts degree and a broader general education.. This plan is not for everyone, but it would surely fit the needs of many. The community or technical college would offer rewarding career training. The bachelor's degree -- with its insistence that students study history, literature and the sciences -- would offer them a richer life. DAVID JOHNSON, CHANCELLOR EMERITUS; UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MORRIS