Alumni Council: from the Fund to the Symbol

Beyond the sobering problem of College finances, the Alumni Council dealt with several topics of immediate concern at its 127th meeting in Hanover, on January 10-12. Highlights of that meeting:

The goal of the 1974 Alumni Fund was established at a range of $3.5-3.75 million, compared to a 1973 goal of $3 million. Of the 1973 performance, Fund Chairman Norman McCulloch '50 reported that it was the first time in five years that the goal was exceeded. He also announced that a major challenge gift of $250,000 is being sought for this year.

In an extensive presentation on the Dartmouth Medical School, Dean James Strickler M.D. '50 announced that the Medical School has joined with Mary Hitchcock Hospital, the Hitchcock Clinic, and the Veterans Administration Hospital in White River Junction to form a joint medical center. He outlined plans for a new fund raising program on behalf of the Medical School to absorb the very high current expenses related to its return to a full M.D. program. Strickler also said that the school currently is receiving some 3000 applications for 64 places in a class.

Garvey Clarke '57, a new member of the Alumni Council and a leader of the Black Caucus reported on the development of the Black Caucus as a response, in 1971, to a request by black students to have black alumni involved in their education. The first Black Alumni Conference was held in Hanover in May 1972, and involved a significant portion of the then 174 black alumni. Clarke said that the Black Caucus has participated with College staff, faculty, and students in reviewing areas of common concern regarding counseling and social and academic life.

The Council was also informed by Gilbert Palmer '75, President of the Green Key Society, that his committee was unable to find a suitable replacement for "Big Green" as a College symbol. After requesting suggestions from students, alumni, faculty, and staff, the committee received approximately 340 responses. Many of the suggestions represented japes and many others expressed strong sentiment for reinstatement of the Indian symbol, which initially had been eliminated by the Green Key committee as a possibility for consideration. "Because there are no suitable replacements on that list [of responses]," Palmer said, "... the issue should be laid to rest."

During the Alumni Council proceedings, a motion was made that all alumni should be polled by mail regarding their attitude about the Indian symbol and its use by the College. There was spirited exchange on the issue, proponents arguing that a poll would indicate overwhelming alumni support for the Indian symbol and foes arguing that a poll would inflame passions and endanger the Native American educational program "at Dartmouth. The Alumni Council finally voted to table the motion for a poll of alumni on the Indian symbol until its June meeting.