The Right Size

A STATEMENT OF THE LAW of nature that applies equally to human institutions is given by J. B. S. Haldane in the essay "On Being the Right Size" in his book Possible Worlds. Mr. Haldane, in discussing the optimum size from the point of view of efficient adjustment to environment says: "For every type of animal there is a most convenient size, and a large change in size inevitably carries with it a change of form." Substituting the word "institution" for "animal" and confining the discussion simply to colleges and universities, there is evidence that Mr. Haldane is right.

In the case of Dartmouth the mushroom growth of the student body immediately after the World War created a situation of inconvenient size in respect to the traditional form and substance of the institution. When the enrollment was fixed at about 2400 the College caught up in physical plant by building a large and handsome library, new dormitories, a dining center, the attractive and medically modern Dick's House, new and revamped recitation rooms and faculty offices, and in other ways, with the vital help of generous donors, changed the outward form of the College. Throughout the period, the Alumni Fund and gifts to endowment have so far enabled the College to keep its head above turbulent financial waters, and keep pace with the change of size.

There would probably be few among us who would suggest any further change. Providing constant progress can be made in strengthening the finances of the College, it may be said that Dartmouth meets this particular law of nature: it seeks no sweeping change of form.