Letters to the Editor

Too Many Letters

I am an avid reader and ardent devotee of your magazine, but it really irks me to have to read through pages of alumni letters which all practically say the same thing. Why can't you summarize and say, "We have received innumerable letters from alumni with similar sentiments so we print two or three which seem to be representative. Of course, those who have expressed an opposing view will be represented." You would, of course, say this much better than I ever could.

I am an old lady, widow of a Dartmouth man and mother of another, and believe in change. Every recent number of the magazine has had too many letters - mostly, of course, objecting to anything being changed from their day. I think it is stupid reading - repetitious and dull! I'm a Wellesley grad and think we have the best magazine ever, and we don't have any alumni letters at all or very seldom.

Also, while I'm speaking my mind, what is the sense of that last cover - the one with the gun. And now I'm objecting to change; forgive.

Concord, Mass.

[We couldn't improve on the argument forpublishing just a few representative letters, butlong ago the ALUMNI MAGAZINE adopted apolicy of allowing all readers to have their say.

As for the March cover, the camouflagedgunslinger was S. J. Perelman, photographedby Ralph Steiner '21. Ed.]

Especially No Committees

The solution to present student and fraternity disciplinary problems might be seen in clearer perspective if compared to the system in force in the early 19405.

In those dear, dead days it was held that "ownership" and resultant authority of Dartmouth lay with the alumni. The alumni elected Trustees. Trustees appointed the President. The President chose his deans and other assistants.

Students and faculty did not vote on how the College would operate. Certainly, their views were heard and sometimes acted upon, but neither studentsi nor faculty had "power."

Another difference between then and now was that a Dartmouth student was expected to be a gentleman as well as a scholar. Gentlemanly or ladylike behavior does not seem to be stressed any longer.

Those of us enrolled under President Hopkins and his "team" of deans can claim. "Never were so few required to enforce so little discipline ... on so many."

The administration was streamlined. Bob Strong and Eddie Chamberlain were dean and assistant deans of admissions and freshmen Lloyd "Pudge" Neidlinger was dean of the per three classes.

Students who fell below clearly understood standards for behavior or scholarship knew they faced probation, suspension, or separation. No appeals, no law suits, no equivocation No one complained that they didn't get what they deserved. Above all ... no committees

So let's follow the script and get back to basics. Return Neidlinger's powers to Dean Manuel. Explain to the students that they are paying the College - not the reverse. Dartmouth did not enroll students for advice on enrollment quotas, College symbols, College investments, or curriculum, or indeed anything else. Students are here to study, faculty to teach.

We are an educational institution not a political one.

Hanover, N.H.

More Doctors, Less Cost?

In the January/February issue, John Boardman '51 states that increasing the Medical School's enrollment, and hence the surplus of physicians, "borders on the irresponsible," because, somehow, more doctors mean higher health-care costs.

Is it too shocking to suggest that if there were more doctors there might develop a little price competition among them, and health-care costs just might fall? In the business world that often happens.

Mr. Boardman states that physicians "control" (read get) 70 per cent of the health-care dollar. If they would reduce their fees by say. ten per cent, America's medical cost problem would be ameliorated.

San Francisco, Calif.

Walking Tall

There is little positive that is being said about Dartmouth away from campus these days. Alumni are grumbling about the loss of the "old Dartmouth," newspapers around the country are filled with tales of factionalism, strife, and dissent, and high school seniors comment that Dartmouth is losing the "unique appeal" that they seek in selecting a college to attend.

Although I can find little to be cheery about in watching Dartmouth become a collection of power-hungry special-interest groups, one can still find solace in the terrific group of people who are somehow managing to hold the College together. Although many administrators (no names, please) have adopted a "jellyfish' philosophy, others continue to carry out their jobs with sincerity, principle, dedication, and excellence. Surely, quite a few still fall into this category, but the administrator I'd like to single out to give a rouse for is Director of Athletics Seaver Peters.

Since coming to Dartmouth College, Seaver has: 1) Managed to assemble an extraordinarily talented group of coaches; football, basketball, and hockey are all currently led by former New England Coaches of the Year. 2) Overseen the design and construction of some of the finest college athletic facilities in the country: Thompson Arena and the new outdoor track are the most recent examples. 3) Developed an extensive and highly successful women's athletic program. At the same time, Seaver has effectively walked the line between frequently irate and demanding alums and parents, an often obstinate Admissions Office, coaches competing for limited monetary resources and facilities, and a wide range of student body interests.

When a team hits the bottom of the league, when a talented athlete is not admitted, when a coach is unhappy about facilities or admissions, or when fans are unhappy about ticket policy, all heads turn to Seaver. But when success strikes the athletic squads, credit goes to the coaches, players, fans — everybody but Seaver.

Seaver's accomplishments probably do not need to be pointed out. His status on NCAA committees, his stature in the community, the recent success of Dartmouth's football and hockey teams, and the respect he commands from his friends are all a tribute to his success. This letter was simply written to say, thanks, Seaver, for refusing to quit while our college crumbles around you.

Boston. Mass.

A Low Blow

I am frankly appalled by the "American Scene" article in Time magazine's March 12 issue, in which, with a veritable mishmash of sundry anonymous quotes, gratuitous innuendoes and judgments, one of the country's leading colleges was held up to public ridicule. It is impossible to perceive just what the author's purpose was, but there can be no doubt as to its devastating impact. To an alumnus such as myself and, I daresay, to those alumni on Time's own payroll, steeped in a rich Dartmouth tradition of high ideals and true educational purpose, this kind of tasteless, irresponsible writing, directed to many thousands of Time readers, is no less than a direct insult, all the more difficult to swallow in the absence of any practical means of securing satisfaction. While one can only guess at the reaction of other friends and supporters of Dartmouth, perhaps the biggest disservice to the College lies in its damaging effect on those whose only knowledge of Dartmouth comes from what appears in public print.

The whole question of coeducation in our hitherto all-male colleges is one fraught with highly emotional overtones throughout alumni bodies of many institutions of higher learning. When one recalls the many pieces of fine editorial writing which Time has produced over the years on similarly controversial issues, the article in question stands out in sharp relief as one that serves no useful purpose whatever. It muddies the waters in a manner truly unworthy of Time's own traditions and deals a low blow to Dartmouth's ongoing efforts to demonstrate its commitment to providing a liberal arts education of the highest possible quality.

Venice, Fla.

Tradition vs. Protest

A sad commentary on conditions a' Dartmouth came to our attention in the New York Times article of March 9, 1979, "Dartmouth Airs Students' Racism Protests."

According to the Times article, Ms. Judy Aronson demanded "more vigorous recruiting of minority women, expansion of the women's studies program, free day-care facilities, equal financing for women's and men's athletics and a review of all tenure decisions for the last two years at Dartmouth." She also denounced the expression "coed" and demanded that the school song "Men of Dartmouth" be discontinued because, according to Ms. Aronson, "We are not men of Dartmouth."

Currently, and for the past several years, we have been assisting our classes and the College in their fund-raising efforts. With the advent of the Campaign for Dartmouth, we believe that all members of the Dartmouth community should make every effort to project the College in a positive and constructive light. The goal of the $160-million campaign is not only to continue to upgrade the academic quality and physical facilities of the institution, but also so that all students - including a Judy Aronson - can receive an excellent education at perhaps half its actual cost.

We are not opposed to constructive change. We welcome women at Dartmouth. But we reject the notion that the business of Dartmouth students is to make unrealistic demands that are disruptive of Dartmouth traditions on the one hand (traditions that are important in building and maintaining alumni enthusiasm and support), and disruptive of ciasses on the other (on March 8 a day's classes were lost). By and large, the faculty and administration are committed to the education and motivation of students in an open, forthright, and mutually respectful atmosphere. The disruption at Webster Hall on March 8 not only distorts and interrupts Dartmouth's mission, but also inspires doubts, disappointment, and disgust among the alumni. We would encourage Ms. Aronson to dedicate herself to a higher collective concern than that of women's or minority rights at Dartmouth - to the promotion of a satisfying, beneficial, and memorable Dartmouth experience for all members of the community, present and past.

Chatham, N.J.

[A report on the episodes leading to and including the meeting in Webster Hall on March8 - when classes were rescheduled, notcancelled - appeared in last month's issue. Ed.]

Encore!

It would be difficult to estimate the amount of time and affectionate dedication that went into the preparation of Dick Holbrook's article describing the antecedents and development of the social phenomenon known far and wide as The Barbary Coast Orchestra of Dartmouth [November issue]. The author's talent and persistence deserve an appreciative salute from those of us who were fortunate enough to have participated in this exhilarating aspect of our campus careers.

Having corresponded with Dick during his extended period of research, I know that his piece has been considerably foreshortened to conform with the space available in one issue. The cut-off at 1927 leaves 50 years of history and at least 75 per cent of good Holbrook writing unexposed and a majority of Coast fraternity curious and avid for further enlightenment. May we expect future appearances of supplements in similar style to bring us up-to-date.

During my years in Hanover we traveled extensively throughout the northeast and as far west as Chicago and Denver, playing for house- parties and proms as well as concert and theater appearances. The demand for our services made us second only to the football team as an inadvertent public relations instrument for the College. Rarely did we spend weekends in Hanover, so, in order to take unlimited cuts of all Saturday and sometimes Friday classes, a permanent member of the Coast was required to maintain a 3.2 average. Few campus activities could boast such scholastic incentive.

Our annual summer trips to Europe broadened our educational experience and enhanced our ambassadorial renown. I recall that we felt that we were carrying on a tradition at the time, with great pride in our performance and the prestige which accompanied our considerable success and acceptance in our contemporary society.

New York, N.Y.

[Dick Holbrook will take an encore in aforthcoming issue. Ed.]

More Than Coincidence

As a faithful follower of Dartmouth sports for a long time, I think I have observed something that would be of great interest to our magazine. There was a great first baseman in the late 1940s named Hank Durham. He could really swing that bat. I have just finished reading the box scores from the latest baseball trip down south. There is another Durham playing ball for Dartmouth. He also is really belting the ball. I for one would think some type of feature on this relationship - if one does exist - would really interest your readers. Good luck with your research.

Trenton, N.J.

[Henry Durham '46 and Mike Durham '79,both first basemen, are father and son. 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.