Letters to the Editor

Manifested Awareness

TO THE EDITOR:

On Norman R. Carpenter's Vox article (May issue) I'd like him to know that he stands not alone in his modest proposal that "some awareness of the problem [alcoholism] be manifested, somehow, by the College." As he points out, he cannot and does not blame Dartmouth for his problem, but his concern that perhaps more could be done by our school in pointing out the hazards of ethyl (lethal is a better word) alcohol, and the subsequent possibility of a wrecked life by its overindulgence, is of much more importance than whether one is accepted on campus simply because he is a good imbiber.

The fact that drinking is somehow associated with manliness or virility is a joke. If you don't believe it ask a man who has had to swallow alcoholism. Carpenter and I know — now.

Redondo Beach, Calif.

TO THE EDITOR:

Thank you for publishing Norman R. Carpenter's essay concerning alcohol use and abuse at Dartmouth. My admiration and respect for Mr. Carpenter is great, for he has written about a subject many would prefer to ignore.

Recently I read statistics which categorize 28 per cent of all adolescents as "problem drinkers." The pressures to drink today may be somewhat different than they were in 1953, but the results of abuse will be just as critical.

I am not an advocate of "Temperance," but if what I read in the ALUMNI MAGAZINE is accurate, the misuse of alcohol is an unpleasant and overriding metaphor for a great deal of the Dartmouth experience. The pity is that there is so much of greater value to be cherished.

Denver, Colo.

TO THE EDITOR:

I want to congratulate Norman Carpenter '53 for his brave and balanced Vox ("Fill the Bowl Up?").

The College has a responsibility to dispel the notion that the Dartmouth experience should include a flirtation with alcohol dependence (under other, more socially acceptable names, of course). Mr. Carpenter pointed out how the College didn't live up to this responsibility in The Bulletin.

By the way, wasn't the mountain-of- unpopped-six-packs photo which accompanied the article (and appeared as an unexplained — and therefore misleading — teaser on the [contents] page) exactly what Mr. Carpenter was getting at?

Chicago, Ill.

TO THE EDITOR:

High compliments to Norman R. Carpenter's restrained yet forceful comments on the sometimes tragic sequelae of a convivial student life nourished on beer and stronger stuff. Doubly tragic because it is usually the ablest and nicest guys who go that way, devastating a family en route. My medical school roommate, a Rhodes Scholar, destroyed himself in the midst of a brilliant academic career; so did one of the best teachers in my era at medical school. Alcoholism is one of the commonest conditions in a physician's practice.

I second Carpenter's modest proposal "that some awareness of the problem be manifested, somehow, by the College." That Americans are killing themselves is a truism. Maybe now is the time to reinstate old Doc Bowler's hygiene course. Lack of exercise, over-eating, cigarettes, alcohol, and automobile accidents are the biggest causes of sickness and death in the United States. They are all preventable and only education can do it. We physicians educate as we go (one of our nurses conducts a weekly night course in obesity), but usually the pattern of life has been set long before and all we can do is patch up the patient. Access to medical care, health systems, and all the rest of the junk and jargon about the faults of American medicine cannot help the person who insists on killing himself by sitting in front of a television set smoking cigarettes, drinking beer, and cleaning out the fridge.

Westport, Mass.

Subject: W. H. Ferry

TO THE EDITOR:

You must have been short of material to fill the June issue. How else could you justify allotting two pages to W. H. Ferry's "ego trip"?

Arlington, Va.

TO THE EDITOR:

An unfortunate aspect of classmate Ping Ferry's experience with the FBI is that he was right too soon, and is now in the ranks of those unpopular people who told us so. The dilemma for the American people is that there are, indeed, menaces from abroad, as well as from within, but in the process of trying to protect ourselves from subversion, we necessarily set up internal hazards to our liberties.

Ping's own past actions to counter losses of liberty have made him - under a U.S. system of internal protection - a hazard to many a classmate whose economic well-being depends on the Establishment. It is easy to believe that no member of the intelligence community, or any person whose contract for government work depends on a top secret security clearance, for example, could afford to be closely associated with W. H. Ferry. And this is odd, is it not, because Ferry's defense of our liberties is, in the end, more important than the force of arms.

Eaton Center, N.H.

The Sexes

TO THE EDITOR:

President Kemeny is quoted in the May 12, 1976 issue of the New York Times as having said, "... They [women] do not have as many opportunities open to them as men, and not as many women choose to have full-time careers." For these two reasons Dr. Kemeny explains that sex will continue to be a factor in the College's admissions policy. I find Dr. Kemeny's ideas disturbing for several reasons.

I would be interested in learning what opportunities exist for well-qualified men that do not exist equally for well-qualified women. I assume this statement is based on the small number of women presently involved in many business and technical professions. That situation does not result in a lack of future opportunity for a prospective Dartmouth woman any more than the small number of minority professionals today affects opportunity for prospective minority students. The small number of women engineers, for example, is the result of many societal factors which institutions such as Dartmouth could change by adopting less sex-biased admissions standards.

I am also disturbed to learn that the failure of some women in the past to pursue full-time careers will keep younger women from having equal access to quality education. Dr. Kemeny should be aware that factors such as increased availability of child care and a decline in family size are already allowing more women to continue their careers through their child bearing years. An increasing number of women seem involved in and successful at their careers, and it would be unfortunate if Dartmouth failed to recognize this fact.

LaGrange, Ga.

(President Kemeny replies: What I have argued is the fact that while women are just as able as men, only a certain percentage of them have chosen to go in for a career — here I use "career" in the broadest possible sense. While this percentage will change over time, I do feel that women's individual decisions will have an effect on the class composition.

1 have never used the argument that the fact that society provides fewer opportunities for women is relevant to admissions. On the contrary, I consider this a very dangerous argument in that any institution that took it into account would be contributing to the perpetuation of past discrimination by society.)

TO THE EDITOR:

Having failed to keep abreast of recent statements pertaining to admission policies, I was dismayed to read Mr. Andres' letter (in the April ALUMNI MAGAZINE) in which it is emphasized that the College will select admission criteria in accordance with (1) "societal factors" and (2) "the College's own particular institutional interests." Other remarks included in this statement give these guidelines a rather sinister complexion.

Mr. Andres claims that society presently determines selective criteria on the basis of sex. If such is the case in any sector of business, government, or education, then it is in opposition to existing legal standards. Happily, women are occupying positions of influence and responsibility at an unprecedented rate. "Selective criteria," adjusted to correct for discriminatory practices of the past, actually favor women at this point in time. Is this trend to be counted among those "societal factors" in light of which admission policies are to be determined? Apparently not. Then by which criteria are "societal factors" judged to be worthy or unworthy of note? Apparently by the extent to which such criteria support "the College's own particular institutional interests." But if these "interests" entail no more than the preservation of the institution, and if admission policies are to do no more than mirror the reluctance with which so many are now responding to legitimate social change, then the College must surely relinquish its claim to educational leadership. One wonders, too, what kind of moral leadership is offered by such regressive self- interest.

Somerville, Mass.

Punting Creatively

TO THE EDITOR:

I would like to make an addition to David Shribman's excellent article on the great Dartmouth tradition of punting. A couple of years ago the Dartmouth College Marching Band (an organization which, some have said, exists solely for the practice of punting) announced a "Creative Punting Contest." The winning entry would be determined on the basis of the great ideal of punting — the greatest amount of wasted time with the least practical application.

Entries ranged from transferring to another Ivy League college to taking half a dozen showers every day. However, the winning suggestion went something like this: on the night before the final exam in a course for which you have half the term's work left to do, go to a dormitory laundry room and find a top-loading automatic washer. Open the lid and, while holding down the release button, insert a quarter and watch it go through an entire cycle. This was actually performed by Matthew Keats '75 in his freshman year.

For his great accomplishment (or lack thereof) Mr. Keats was saluted in a half-time show and awarded a keg of beer to further his efforts. Hopefully, no future discussion of Dartmouth punting will omit Mr. Keats' contribution.

Princeton, N.J.

Tributes

TO THE EDITOR:

I think of Alex Laing with joy and gladness for his life, his Elizabethan-like breadth of endeavor, his intellectual belief in democracy and his work through decades to defend the Constitution and the Bill of Rights; his love of students and his powers as a teacher of the young; the bright, shining integrity of his mind, an instrument faithful to pursuit of truth. I love his knowledge of the sea, his books about sailing vessels of the last century. I liked his novels, and especially that, beginning when we were in college in the twenties, his poetry was always with him, although for decades he pursued other concerns I have mentioned, and that last year his poetic abilities reached their peak in BrantPoint, a book in which he realized himself.

Alex Laing served Dartmouth almost all of his adult life and is a prime example of the Dartmouth spirit of his time, friendly, expansive, generous, clear-headed, keen-eyed, fearless, independent in upholding ideas that he felt were right and true, a man of great love of life, zest for experience, with sharp powers to address and evaluate the human condition.

I speak to the loss of a close and long-time friend. I speak for the grief of friends in the swiftness of his passing. We may now live with memories of his spirit and realize how lucky we were to know and work with and enjoy the ebullient and graceful life of Alexander Laing.

Hanover, IV. H.

TO THE EDITOR:

I feel sure that there are many Dartmouth alumni who remember Professor Irving Bender. I knew him only in retirement (he was, it amazes me to think, 53 when I was born) — first as a neighbor in the old Howe Library and thereafter as a friend. Irving was a good friend to me, spanning our ages with his humor, insight, and keen interest and enjoyment of all people and their ways. Perhaps part of his appeal to young people was his non-conformity, independence, and ability to keep on growing right up to his death. I never thought of him as old, except in a good sense — I valued his experience and his perspective of 82 years, and I will miss him sorely. My family and I will always remember him with warmth and love.

Hanover, N.H.

Alex Laing's obituary appeared in June; IrvingBender's is in this issue. Ed.)

Whither Education?

TO THE EDITOR:

As we celebrate our country's Bicentennial, it appears that we have also reached a point in time where there is increasing uncertainty about the main purposes of what we in the United States of America term an education. Gone is the conviction that in our democratic society every citizen deserved the very best in the way of training and discipline of the mind which education purports to effect.

In the earlier days of our country, it was assumed that life was a solemn responsibility, that one owed it to oneself to try to achieve the necessary knowledge by instruction so that, as a free American, one could participate, one could contribute to helping develop our great country.

What has taken place in the past 50 years to alter these ideals and precepts and which make the forces of education so insecure? Back in the 19205, "progressive education" emerged as a fad, directly flaunting the element of discipline as a force in education. "Self-fulfillment" became the watchword rather than any thought of partnership in a common enterprise. This luxurious mode of thought appeared to some to be appropriate in a so-called free-enterprise system which in the 1950s admitted having the highest standard of living in the world.

What has happened to education? Literacy is declining steadily. It is not uncommon to find some junior college graduates whose reading ability today is at or below the 10th grade level. It is reported that both the verbal and math scores in the Scholastic Aptitude Tests have in the past 15 years been declining steadily — from 478 to 434 in math and from 502 to 472 in verbal skills.

The idea of "self-fulfillment" was given a further boost in the 1960s by the "free speech" concept which paralleled the distaste with the U.S. involvement in Vietnam, protest movements and the new drug culture. These new forces have, in the writer's opinion, been encouraged by default in many of our educational institutions. This attitude has resulted in negating the values of the work, discipline and training essentials.

Something radical should be done - and soon. Perhaps at the higher levels the more brilliant students will still emerge but in diminished numbers. Certainly, at the average level, more basic training in writing, reading, languages, geography and math is called for to combat the level of TV mentality and current mind orientation. We need less permissive education at the college level. Maybe there is something that needs to be said for "reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic."

I should like to see Dartmouth do something about it.

New York, N. Y.

Energetic Undertones

TO THE EDITOR:

The latest [May] issue of your magazine arrived yesterday, so I canceled all appointments and settled down with it. I began with Letters-to-the-Editor, scanning the columns in vain hope of some improvement in my fellow alumni/ae, and then turned to the heart of the magazine: Reviews. My eyes fumbled through the odd new typographical mishmash, seeking the name of Hurd. They fell on a cheap-shot slur ("Not Professor — though he was that — but Teacher. Herb West would have abundantly approved the implied distinction"), and I sighed audibly. Then I found the name I was looking for.

John Hurd '21 has retired! A bleak day indeed!

I had two freshman English teachers, a squeaky-voiced kid about a year older than I, and Professor Hurd. Professor Hurd whisked into the classroom promptly and efficiently, accompanied by an inflated shag rug said to be a dog, and for an hour he spoke (the Professor) briskly and interestedly about literature. This had never happened to me before. So I took his course in 18th-century literature ... and to this day the long, complex, architectural sentences of 18th-century English have abrupt and energetic undertones, thanks to Professor Hurd.

Thanks to him indeed, and to Jack Hurd the review editor, who sent me good books (mostly) and delightful letters, dozens of years later. And who wrote lots of good reviews himself, including many so subtly worded that their subjects probably still think they were praised.

Later on, I looked through the rest of the magazine.

Storrs, Conn.

Daughters in Russell Sage?

TO THE EDITOR:

The illustration of Russell Sage Hall which appeared in the February issue has indeed provoked (and rightly so) more than one response from irate alumni. It is for this reason that I feel a few more facts should be brought out, in the hopes that this issue be put to an end once and for all. Being a resident of Russell Sage in the spring of '74 (my senior year), I honestly feel that the incident had nothing to do with the question of coeducation at Dartmouth, nor did it seem to create the controversy that it has today.

During that time, the housing office was in the process of investigating certain all-male dorms for the purpose of transforming them into coed living accommodations in the coming years. Russell Sage was one of these residences that had been under consideration. In order to get some idea of the student opinion, a questionnaire was distributed to all of the underclassmen in that building. As I recall, of the 100 students polled, 99 voted in favor of retaining the all-male status. Since there were few seniors living there at the time, a move to integrate would mean that many of the underclassmen would have to vacate, thus furthering the destruction of a more permanent communal spirit which was already suffering through the institution of the Dartmouth Plan. Furthermore, the students felt that they would be more comfortable living in an all-male residence.

Despite the results of the questionnaire, the housing office selected Russell Sage as Dartmouth's next coed dorm. The decision was inevitable, for it was a well-known fact that the housing office used the threat of coeducation as a "punishment" for all-male dorms with the highest yearly damage (a wonderful method of improving male-female relations on campus). Unfortunately, Russell Sage Hall outclassed all other dorms in that area of competition.

A number of underclassmen thus decided to launch a kind of demonstration aimed at the decision of the housing office. In addition to the painted sheets, a number of pamphlets were distributed explaining the protest, whose campaign slogan became "Would you want your daughter to live in Russell Sage?" I don't recall anyone on campus taking the matter very seriously. After all, the decision of the housing office was final.

Yet when one reads the caption under the photograph as it appeared in the February issue ("The men of Russell Sage give the women of Dartmouth a message"), an entirely different kind of message is implied. What results is simply a distortion of the facts, a kind of journalistic practice that has become especially repugnant in this day and age.

I am not attempting to justify the actual incident itself. Whether or not the students of Russell Sage should be condemned for staging such a protest is another matter. The fact remains that the photograph was taken over two years ago (I am sure that the students of that dorm are at present living in peaceful coexistence), and that it is misleading to the uninformed reader. If this is the best that your publication can do to incite alumni against the present student body, then I suggest that you stick to more optimistic subjects such as Tweety Warren (who, I might add, is an individual with whom any Dartmouth alumnus or alumna should be happy to be associated).

Englewood, N.J.

(As for "distortion," our caption went on to saythat the photograph was taken in 1974. As forTweety Warren, who appeared on the Februarycover — and who is an innocent party in all this— she chose to live in South Topliff Ed.)

What Role?

TO THE EDITOR:

As a newcomer to the ranks of alumnushood, I seek the advice of the many seasoned veterans.

"In a very real sense," Class of '76 Head Agent Bill Saubert recently wrote, "Dartmouth's future as a first-rate educational institution turns on the willingness of all its alumni, including its most recent alumni, to participate and contribute." An almost incontrovertible observation, practically a truism.

Yet novice alumnus that I am, I am unsure what to do if contribution and participation conflict. For example, a current high administrative officer of the College clearly lacks the basic professional credentials demanded by his job. From personal and quite exasperating experience, I know this high officer to be equally deficient in the necessary personality and ability. But despite complaints'from students, faculty, colleagues, and subordinates, he remains employed, empowered, and entrenched. The continued tenure of this officer is frankly embarrassing. It constantly reminds me that Dartmouth College tolerates an administrative incompetent.

What should the role of an alumnus be in this case? Should I just contribute and simply hope the problem will go away some day (hopefully before additional grave harm is done to the College)? Or should I take the only unexhausted form of participation left, and withhold making a contribution until it can be made in good conscience?

I do not claim to be the first to face the participation versus contribution dilemma. Thus I ask the help of those who have wrestled with it before.

Washington, D.C.

Geometric Opposites

TO THE EDITOR:

I was somewhat surprised when I read the Undergraduate Chair article by Dan Nelson in the June issue. For Professor Roger Masters to make the assertion he did in a faculty meeting is one thing — to publish his words in the ALUMNI MAGAZINE seems to be quite unnecessary. I feel that young sons and daughters of Dartmouth graduates should be able to pick up the magazine without reading what Professor Masters considers the primary concerns of Dartmouth men.

It was only a few weeks ago that I had the pleasure of returning for my 45th reunion. Among my classmates were many men of letters; one the president of a college and many more who have spent their years since graduation in education. There were members of the Congress of the United States, many successful attorneys, doctors, businessmen, etc. Practically all those who came back to Hanover for a few days have achieved success in their chosen professions, but more important, the extracurricular work they have done in their communities is a tribute to their Dartmouth education. Maybe the best description of this fine group of men is to say they are "well rounded."

Some years ago in a city where there are very few Dartmouth graduates I took part in a fundraising campaign for a church-related college and a seminary. I recall vividly at the opening banquet the president of the college saying he was elated to see that six Dartmouth men were taking key roles in the campaign even though none of them had any affiliation with either of the schools.

We had some Dan Nelsons in the Glass of 1930. Maybe they were misfits. Has it ever occurred to Dan Nelson that he might be a lot happier if he left Dartmouth College and pursued his education elsewhere?

Dartmouth College is still a college of chances, offering the best chance to get an education, the best chance to make a respectable living, the best chance to try something new in science, art or literature, the best chance to be heard in the world, the best chance of what sociologists call "upward mobility."

Suffolk, Va.

TO THE EDITOR:

Dan Nelson's Undergraduate Chair perceptively and courageously exposes the dominant anti-intellectualism of Dartmouth College. Somewhere within me Nelson's column strikes a rather sympathetic symphony. As a recent graduate who fitfully succumbed to and/or bucked peer (or was it beer?) pressure and who found closet "Weenieism" far more comfortable than an academic coming out, I can testify that I forfeited opportunities for intellectual growth later lamented. In many ways I, too, felt the isolation Robert Orton spoke about to be my surest sanity saver.

The ingrown socio-econo-politico homogeneity of Dartmouth may well be, as Nelson points out, a result of the admissions policy. Many factors shape that policy including tuition-economics, geography, competition within the Ivy League, minority recruitment commitments and difficulties and of course, the alumni. But the avalanche dimensions of qualified applicants give Dartmouth the capacity to choose and the freedom to change that policy. I believe it also has an obligation to make that change.

My matriculating class in the fall of 1969 was heavily weighted toward high-achieving, well-liked, all-around citizens and athletes from suburban high schools, of which I was one. The economics of quality liberal arts education in America will make it impossible to tilt against the upper middle class, nor would it be 100 per cent desirable. But it should not prevent a conscious and sincere campaign for more than mere geographical diversity.

Indeed, if Dartmouth wants to choose men and women (hopefully an increase of the latter) who will have the greatest impact on our society, then it should abandon its eternal vigilance for the inoffensive . "well-rounded" applicant. Without the friction of a few "intellectual squares" and people of varying geometries, then Dartmouth and ultimately its impact will suffer.

Washington, D.C.

Poet's Poet

TO THE EDITOR:

I do not wish to quarrel with Samuel Morse's small review of my most recent book, but since that review (in the May ALUMNI MAGAZINE) is paired with his merely tepid praise of William Bronk '38, I take it to be high time that somebody said what Dartmouth never seems to have noticed: that William Bronk is — to speak very simply of a complex life's work — one of the very most original and important poets now writing in America.

Castine, Maine

Keeping Score

TO THE EDITOR:

Open letter to Joe Daly and Murry Bowden, members, Class of 1971 fifth reunion committee.

Quoting from your reunion letter of May 13, 1976: "We don't guarantee that you'll like everyone and everything that you see at the reunion (i.e., coeducation). Some people will still be 'creeping ass weenies,' others still obnoxious Big Greeners. Perhaps, you still have a grudge against an old classmate dating back to first term freshman year ... you can get drunk at one of the many planned drinking affairs and punch him out.

"Whether you want to settle the score with Bob, score with Bob's wife, score some weed (it's dry out there in the business world), or score a new business connection, the fifth reunion will provide the opportunities."

Gee, guys, when Bob and some of his 1971 classmates read your inviting letter, they almost decided not to come to reunion. Then they thought about all the other friends they'd like to see. They're coming.

It was discouraging reading about your sophomoric preoccupation with fighting with your classmates (a vestige of your football days?), come-and-get-it sex and blatant misogyny (goes hand-in-hand, so to speak), illegal drugs (none of our business friends appear desiccated) and borderline alcoholism. Even if this is the distillation of your Dartmouth experience, haven't five years in the outside world smoothed out any rough edges?

We appreciate the work you and others on the reunion committee have done for reunion. Maybe if you two guys can keep the scores reasonably low, we'll all have a good time.

SUSAN MARKS-PECKHAM (Bob's Wife) Meriden, N.H.

(Susan Marks-Peckham was an exchange student at Dartmouth in 1970. Ed.)

Beloved Imperfection

TO THE EDITOR:

I have just read your delightful article, "Wearers of the Green" [June issue], concerning Shelby Grantham, calligrapher for this year's diplomas. I cannot resist comment.

Twelve years ago I received my diploma with my name misspelled - Laurence. I did not bother to give it back to the College for rewriting as my father, who framed the diploma, corrected the letter error. If one looks very closely, one sees the faint outline of the "e" behind the "a." The imperfection is a small thing, "but there are those of us who love it."

LAURANCE SCHWARTZ '64

Suffern, N.Y.

The Symbol (cont.)

TO THE EDITOR:

It's about time that the College does something positive for the Indians. Instead of sweeping the Indian heritage under the rug, Kemeny et al. would restore some confidence in the alumni by establishing an Indian scholarship fund enabling high school graduating Indians to attend prep schools and enable them to take advantage of free Dartmouth tuition. A sculpture of an Indian — non abstract — and a plaque with the Eleazar Wheelock story in a prominent place on campus would be additional evidence that Dartmouth is proud of its Indian heritage and sincere about bettering the life of the Vanishing American.

Palm Beach, Fla.

TO THE EDITOR:

My Dartmouth senior cane sees some action these days. I often take it with me when I go out for a long walk. Chiefly, it gives me (a) a sense of dignity and (b) protection from dogs!

I often show it to friends as I walk. They and I are both impressed by the dignity of the Indianhead. I wish some day that someone would explain what is wrong with the noble head of an Indian decorating the head of a cane from a college first founded to educate Indians! I want to report that out here in Missouri the Dartmouth Indian is well and doing well. In Columbia, that is.

Columbia, Mo.

TO THE EDITOR:

One of the pleasant features of my recent reunion was two concerts by the Glee Club, during which a number of College songs were sung.

Conspicuous by its absence was "Eleazar Wheelock," and this fact was noted in a conversation with a Glee Club member. I was startled to be told that the omission was due to its being "forbidden by the administration."

Wide circulation was given to the comment, and I think it is in the interest of all of us to have this rumor either confirmed or denied.

Providence, R.I.

(In fact, two scholarship funds have been established in recent years specifically for Indianstudents at Dartmouth. As to preparatoryschool and post-secondary school education,that is precisely what the ABC and Dartmouth'ssummer Bridge programs provide.

Senior canes, old and new, are evident inHanover, too.

And Paul Zeller, long-time director of theGlee Club, says that the Glee Club itself — without pressure from "the administration" — decided to omit "Eleazar Wheelock" from itsrepertoire to avoid offending Indian members ofthe Dartmouth community. Ed.)

Correction

In the June issue John B. Nason III '59 was incorrectly identified as having signed the majority report of the Trustees' Committee on Equal Opportunity — 1975. He was, with Haskell Cohn '22, co-author and co-signer of the minority report.