Letters to the Editor

Commencement

I recently received the June number of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE and, as always, read it with interest from the beginning, at least to the class notes. Its cover, showing those empty seats on Baker lawn receding into the distance, gave full scope to my imagination to think of the countless individuals who would occupy them on Sunday morning - seniors, parents and friends, alumni - and to wonder what their thoughts would be as they watched and listened to the pageantry of graduation. What an exciting day it is, whether for the new alumnus or the old!

The reports of Commencement activities brought the scene back to life for the absent alumni. I was especially impressed with the three valedictories - from a faculty member, a senior, and the College president - for the light which they give as to the education which the College is giving to its students.

One of the most interesting features of Commencement to me has always been the conferring of honorary degrees, to find out who the individuals are who receive them, and to read the illuminating, felicitous citations about them. But I missed one thing this year; the names of the degrees were not given. Isn't the significance of the degree being awarded of any importance any longer?

Pomona, Calif.

(The honorary degree citations, this year andlast, were excerpted to save space. The seven in'77 were: Lowell Thomas, humane letters;William Buchanan '24, laws; Helen GahaganDouglas, laws; Melvyn Douglas, humaneletters; Earl Blaik, humane letters; David BrionDavis '50, letters; Ray Kroc, humane letters. Ed.)

Although I committed the unpardonable in 1960, 1968, and 1972, the high point of my voting career occurred in 1950, when I pulled the lever for Helen Douglas as U.S. Senator from California.

Your June issue, page 35, quotes her Dartmouth citation as "In 1959, you successfully challenged... [for the nomination for the Senate, but were defeated by a Republican Congressman]."

I hope it was the typesetter's and proofreader's error, not the citation writer's.

Durham, N.C.

(Everybody should have known better. Ed.)

Interesting Challenge

Thank you for your generous invitation, relayed to me in Shelby Grantham's letter of May 30, to "cite facts to scotch the rumor" you printed in your May issue, to the effect that "Male and female professors tell me [Ms. Grantham] that some departments at Dartmouth - economics and psychology in particular - are reputed to be virulently sexist." It does strike me as an interesting challenge to find the "facts" that would dispell such a "rumor." Indeed, you seem to have put me in a position somewhat akin to that of unfortunates haled before ecclesiastical courts in less enlightened times to defend themselves quite explicitly against charges of unspecified lapses of faith brought by unnamed persons - albeit that my failure to succeed in the present defense will presumably have some less dire consequences.

I have looked up "virulent" in Webster's 3rd Unabridged International Dictionary, and I find that it is defined after medical and biological meanings as "bitter in enmity: filled with malicious hatred." The word "sexist" does not appear in that dictionary, which added to my task. However, I am perfectly willing to concede that some members of the Economics Department may be sexists as a few people on campus might define that word. We do have some members who are uneasy about the political process in .which a set of affirmative action guidelines promulgated by a federal agency are enforced under sanction of loss of federal funds and without recourse to standards of proof customarily required in the nation's courts. Some of my colleagues are becoming concerned over what they perceive as the inroads of reverse discrimination. Some even feel a threat to their conceptions of the traditional virtues of academic freedom and independence. The atmosphere in the department is such that these questions can be and are debated openly and without rancor. If those untroubled by doubts as to the unassailable righteousness of their own preferred solutions regard such discussions as sexist, so be it. But I can assure all readers of this magazine that I have no departmental colleague, male or female, who is bitter in his or her enmity toward members of the opposite sex or who is filled with malicious hatred for them.

As chairman of the Economics Department for four of tile past five years, I do regret that the DARTMOUTH ALUMNI MAGAZINE has chosen to disseminate such innuendo, apparently with no effort to ascertain the accuracy or fairness of the characterization, to an audience greatly concerned with the College but lacking a first-hand basis for evaluation of the merits of the rumor. I certainly do not know how to disprove a rumor about people's attitudes, nor how to refurbish a reputation tarnished by gossip. I can only state that if any member of the Dartmouth community - staff, faculty, student, or administrative officer (including magazine editor) - can cite any specific problems of sexism, virulent or otherwise, in the Economics Department, I shall do whatever is within my limited powers as chairman to eliminate them. This is an easy promise to make, as I am quite convinced that the department is free of that peculiar taint.

Hanover, N.H.

I strongly object to the following statement in the article by Shelby Grantham, "Women at the Top (almost)," in the May issue: "Male as well as female professors tell me that some departments at Dartmouth - economics and psychology in particular - are reputed still to be virulently sexist."

I have been a member of the Economics Department for 21 years, I know most members of the department very well, and I am certain that the Economics Department is not virulently sexist and that the reputed comment is not true.

This comment is also slanderous. The fact that it was told to the author of the article and that those who told it said that it was reputed does not make the comment any less slanderous. Even though some members of the faculty might make the statement reported, the statement is unfair to the members of the Economics Department. I believe that the members of the Economics Department deserve an apology from the editors of the DARTMOUTH ALUMNI MAGAZINE. A college publication ought never to include slanderous statements about certain faculty members unsupported by any evidence and attributed to anonymous professors.

Hanover, N.H.

I thoroughly enjoyed Shelby Grantham's fictionalized history "Women at the Top (almost)" in the May issue. There is no doubt that discrimination against women at the College may, in the past, have been both pervasive and hard core. For this reason it would seem only fair and logical to read editor Grantham's article not as if it were a thoroughly researched, well- documented portrayal of the current status of women faculty and staff members at Dartmouth, but rather as a commendable and socially impressionistic exercise which transforms, modifies, and even transcends mere historical facts in the interest of social reality.

Consequently, the reader should not be particularly taken aback if, through editorial license, Ms. Grantham discovers various unnamed and unnumbered male and female professors who inform her that the Economics Department is "reputed still to be virulently sexist." After all, it isn't really all that important to establish whether the Economics Department ever was in fact "sexist" or whether it is "sexist" still (not to mention virulently so). Nor is it any defense of the department to dredge up such evidence as the fact that one of the outstanding younger members of the economics staff, who is highly respected by junior and senior colleagues alike, is married—to a male.

All the same, having said all of this, I can't help but wonder - even if fleetingly - if Shelby Grantham is reputed still to be a journalist.

Hanover, N.H.

(Professor Menge also is a member of the EconomicsDepartment. Ed.)

Shelby Grantham's article in the May issue is a splendid example of the perceptive and at the same time analytical writing that should be done about faculties everywhere.

Both my husband (Dartmouth '29) and I (Tuck Overseer) were particularly pleased at her exhuming the skeletons of Croasdale and Koroton from ancient history. The present commitment to women at Dartmouth needs to be constantly reaffirmed in the light of this kind of ancient history. I also applaud her judicious use of quotations and her balanced presentation of the diversity of opinions on a variety of issues. It is such a pleasure to see an article about women which treats them as individuals.

Wellesley, Mass.

Congratulations on your May issue, one of the best in some time.

Shelby Grantham's article on female faculty was splendidly done, going far beyond the usual standards of journalism-based-on-survey.

Woburn, Mass.

In Shelby Grantham's article in the May ALUMNI MAGAZINE, Professor Richard Sheldon was quoted as saying that "I have the sense that there was at that time a sort of policy that Dartmouth faculty was all male."

Let's be very definite on that point. The 1951 edition of the "Organization of the Faculty of Dartmouth College" (which I believe I edited on behalf of a Committee on Faculty Organization of which I was a member) states specifically: "As defined by the Board of Trustees, the Academic Faculty consists of the President of the College, the Dean of the Faculty, the Dean of the College, the Dean of Freshmen, the director of Admissions, the Registrar of the College, and all men appointed by the Trustees to any position in Dartmouth College with the rank of Professor, Assistant Professor, Instructor, or Teaching Fellow."

The next edition (1953) changed "men" to "persons." I will not go into the question of where the use of "men" originated, except to say that no member of the Committee on Faculty Organization was responsible for it. I am sure that the word was not designed to be discriminatory, though in retrospect it may be seen to be so. It was only a factual statement of what was felt to be appropriate to a college for men. The committee accepted it as a statement of fact. The change in the next edition is evidence that there were those who wished it altered.

Hanover, N.H.

I'd just like to insert a comment of my own in the article "Women at the Top (almost)," which appeared in the May issue: "I may have the tiny, small body of a woman, but bet your booties and dollars there's a real man inside, equal to any and all men, and superior to some, and these few are very special." Now isn't that strange?

Norwich, Vt.

(Yes. Ed.)

Milkman's Tale

Please verify my figures which I hope are not correct completely: 1) When I entered in 1927 my class had 600 - all male; 2) 50 years later only 150 more, of which 350 are women. At this rate we will have half female soon and our football teams will have more split ends than sturdy halfbacks. Where are the men going to college, 350 of whom are being denied entry?

A recent Alumni Fund request stated things don't change and used the evening "Hums" as an example. Do you mean to tell me girls singing "Men of Dartmouth," "As the Backs Go Tearing By," "Dartmouth's in Town Again," "granite of N.H. in their muscles and their brains," etc., isn't a change? I say it is a hell of a change for the worst. Let the girls sing Vassar and Smith songs near Bema. Keep them from singing songs written years ago for Dartmouth men and not for women.

I realize that giving each man a woman companion if he wants one is fine for him, but is it necessary to share a bed as part of education? If each can afford $4,000 tuition they can afford a motel. The last time I was in Hanover a milkman told me he gets up early Saturday and Sunday to deliver a lot of milk for couples spending the weekends in bed majoring in sex. In 1927 we managed to survive with seven ladies of ill repute from White River.

With disgust.

Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.

(As reported in the June issue, the incomingfreshman class is expected to have 741 men and314 women. Ed.)

Fifth Down

I much enjoyed the piece in the "Reviews" section of the May issue about the Cornell game. But "thousands of aging Dartmouth alumni" gets a little near the bone. As a callow freshman, I sat near the goal line in the snow and saw the whole thing at close range, but at 55 I do not consider myself aging!

Football has always been a mystery to me, but even then I had figured out that each side had four tries, or downs, and then the other side had four tries. It seemed to me that Cornell had had five tries, the last one being rather important, but I simply assumed that the officials were right and that this was one more confirmation (not really needed) that I didn't understand the rules. Several knowledgeable classmates assured me that there had in fact been only four tries, or downs.

You can well imagine my delight when I discovered that I had in fact been correct. I particularly enjoyed the celebrations.

Allamuchy, N.J.

Your article about the forthcoming book by Robert Porter on the famous fifth-down game with Cornell on November 16, 1940, evoked in me the memory of the final agonizing moments of that classic contest, as I am sure it will in many others.

I came up on the train from Boston to see that game and, having attended the D-men's reception after the finish, knew that there was considerable controversy as to the real outcome but had to leave early in order to catch the train for the return trip. When we left Norwich, the official score was still Cornell 7, Dartmouth 3. We got a clue, though, that something was up when I spotted Joe McKenney of B.C., who was head linesman that day, and asked him if Cornell hadn't actually had five downs on that scoring sequence. He just smiled and said, "You'll read about it in the paper tomorrow." It turned out that McKenney had spotted the error and told Friesell about it on the spot, but was brushed off.

How does one go about procuring a copy of Porter's book?

Chatham, Mass.

(Porter is still researching and writing thehistory of the fifth-down game. Ed.)

Dismay

I read with dismay the article in the April issue pertaining to affirmative action. The further I read the more it seemed that Dartmouth has sold its soul and independence to the bureaucrats of Washington.

The accompanying picture was very appropriate. The person in the picture was so confident in the sanctity and security of red tape symbolized by the two tomes.

Cohasset, Mass.

Tiptop

Congratulations to Nelson '75 and Brinegar '77 for their splendidly gay articles in the June issue.

Round Top, Texas

(Dan Nelson wrote the profile on ArthurMayer; Brad Brinegar, in the UndergraduateChair, discussed the jops of rowing and bobbysocks. Ed.)

Great Book

My sincere thanks to the Trustees for their publishing Hopkins of Dartmouth. And my hearty congratulations to Charles Widmayer for his excellent writing. It is a great book and, to those of us of the "Hopkins Generation," a truly memorable opportunity to reminisce about our years as undergraduates.

Wellesley, Mass.

Corrections

Has anybody clued you in that the cover photograph on the March ALUMNI MAGAZINE is misdescribed in the table of contents? Or did Hathorn/Olson tell you wrong?

The trees (elm?) on the right side of the road and the large maple between the house and the barn are in full foliage. Can this be so in late March in Tunbridge? And is that some kind of garden or crop at 11:00 o'clock to the telephone pole?

Deerfield, N.H.

Having received and read the May issue, may I offer the following correction?

On page 75, under obituaries, is the name of Carl Gish, Class of '15, and the following information: "His son, Peter M. '49, is the well- known artist who painted the portrait of Al Dickerson which hangs in the Lounge of the Hanover Inn."

The last time I visited Hanover, it was the portrait of Sid Hayward, painted by Peter Gish, that hung over the fireplace in the Lounge.

Verona, N.J.

In the May issue Frank Long '77, under the title "Rugby: Five Pints a Day," mentioned several instances where rugby teams have courted trouble in their travels. One such referred to a touring Venezuelan team en route to Chile. I doubt if Long ever read the book Alive, for this was an instance of a Uruguayan, not a Venezuelan team, on a flight due west over the Andes in October which ended in a crash in the mountains. (Venezuela is about three times the distance to Chile as is Uruguay.)

He further referred to what followed as cannibalism. This was not cannibalism in the old sense of the word but a case of life or death for the survivors. The account as related in Read's book is that of a heart-rending experience and a true story full of courage with a will to live.

West Hartford, Conn.

Benefits

Elizabeth Cronin's bittersweet, tongue-in-cheek account of the often futile undergraduate job search in the May Undergraduate Chair reminded me of a task I had promised to myself some months ago.

Except for the fall football reports, my guess is that more people read these pages of letters than any other section of the magazine. Each month, we are all gleefully entertained by the best of the indignant responses this publication generates. Certainly, there are many thoughtful discussions of major College issues, but much of the linage is devoted to the amusing banter of alumni who sometimes seem to have forgotten that the College exists to fulfill the needs of today's and tomorrow's students and not those of yesterday's.

According to the Office of Employment Services, approximately 50 per cent of the current students include graduate school in their plans for the future; five years ago, as many as 80-85 per cent planned on graduate programs. This obvious gap points out that increasing numbers of undergraduates are searching for career opportunities. However, given that Dartmouth is a small liberal arts college which remains relatively inaccessible, few companies recruit on campus. This year, a total of 75 arranged for undergraduate interview schedules. More are needed. This need, which the College cannot fully meet by itself, could be filled more completely with the help of the alumni.

Included in the 75 was the Leo Burnett Co., one of the nation's largest and most prestigious advertising agencies. During a visit to Hanover last fall for the unfortunate Dartmouth-Harvard football game, I was convinced by a friend to propose that the agency add Dartmouth to its recruiting roster (comprised principally of graduate schools and of undergraduate schools with programs in advertising or communications). Happily, management agreed to see what a liberal arts school had to offer and sent two of us to interview 32 undergraduates. As I had hoped, the enthusiastic and articulate young men and women impressed us. After additional interviews here in Chicago, job offers were given to five, of whom three accepted.

Most of the time, we alumni are only asked to support Dartmouth with a check for the Alumni Fund. Here is a way for you, and your company, to go a step further to help the College - arrange for a recruiting schedule next year! Not only will you be helping to expand the facilities of the College by filling one of the needs of the students, but you will also benefit by bringing smart, energetic young people into your firm.

Chicago, Ill.

Richard Eberhart

The Dartmouth community's pride in its poet-in-residence is commendable and quite understandable, yet even Mr. Eberhart must surely realize that awards (no matter how prestigious) do not determine what makes good poetry.

Mr. Eberhart's poetry, "mothered and best nurtured" by the academy, is clearly the product of a 19th-century sensibility; that is what is being recognized by these various awards. Two of America's greatest poets, Whitman and Pound, were quite clear in their stance as poets vis-a-vis the Academy.

Mr. Eberhart describes himself, as poet, most accurately, if unwittingly: "Such a knot of little purposeful nature!" This is not a quibble with Mr. Eberhart's poetry nor its recognition - I admire his work for what it is - but a concern for the nature and condition of poetry in the last quarter of the 20th century.

'lf he could only live at the pitch that is near madness' - indeed, in deed.

Huntington. N. Y.

(In May, on the occasion of his National BookAward, the ALUMNI MAGAZINE published aselection of poems by Richard Eberhart '26. Ed.)

The Symbol (cont.)

Give a Rouse-ing Wah-Hoo-Wah for varsity baseball star Dave DeMarco, for whom his Red Man package is symbolic (page 44, May issue).

Presumably the athletes at the University of Massachusetts (nicknamed "The Red Men") also prefer this brand of chewing tobacco. These persistent manifestations do keep popping up! And furthermore, especially to you, Mr. Editor, re. final paragraph in letter by Kirt Meyer '30 on page 8 in the same issue ... please keep open ad infinitum the Indian symbol discussion. Do continue to publish letters pertaining to this perennially vital subject. The ever-strengthening trend is toward restoration; let the irresistible surge prevail, articulated uninterruptedly in your columns.

Derry, N.H.

In the June issue I noticed a graduate holding his Senior Cane, but could not make out the figure on the head. Mine is an Indian. What is it now, Mickey Mouse or Winnie the Pooh?

Hopedale, Mass.

(The cane in the picture bears an Indian head. Ed.)

The ALUMNI MAGAZINE welcomes comment from its readers. For publication, letters should be signed and addressed specifically to the Magazine (not copies of communications to other organizations or individuals). Letters exceeding 400 words in length will be condensed by the editors.

(Mrs. Bell is Coman Professor of Economics atWellesley College. Ed.)

(Robin Robinson, professor of mathematics andregistrar emeritus, now serves the College as aconsultant on the Dartmouth Plan. Ed.)