1935

6680 Williamson Drive NE Atlanta, GA 30328

An interesting situation this month-the best response yet to the "Question of the Month," plus some belated replies to prior questions with a certain relevance to the current question as well.

To this month's question, "What campus situation disturbs you most, and how do you feel the incoming president might deal with it?" the answers fall loosely into three categories: comment on specific concerns; expressions of lack of interest in specifics; or a feeling that we have to accept change as inevitable, no matter how we view it personally.

Among those who listed specific concerns, Bill Hands expresses a substantial disenchantment with the College generally, based on the full list of standard alumni complaints—women on campus, the Indian symbol, the shanty episode, support for the G.S.A., the ultraliberal views of the College administration and its lack of commitment to basic values.

Hall Colton expresses a similar concern with the lack of balance in the administrations's and faculty's presentation of liberal and conservative points of view, and the "double standard" in its disciplinary policies for campus liberals and conservatives. Joe Waters sees a serious problem in attitudes of the administration, and of some students, which condone destructive actions by campus activist groups, a lathe shantytown episode. He sees a need for a strong, comprehensive code of conduct with specific penalties for specific violations.

Bob Boehm zeroes in on the questions raised by the Dartmouth Review's use of the College name, creating an impression of semiofficial status. The administration's reaction to Bob's suggestion that some action be taken to correct the situation has been that the Review's first amendment rights have to be protected. Bob has offered a solution based on a successful approach by Yale University to the same problem.

Ev Dann was distressed to see the College Green turned into a shantytown, and hopes that that episode is ancient history. On a personal note, he speaks of eight happy post-retirement years divided between a lake side Vermont home and Anna Maria Island on Florida's west coast. He is "looking forward to our 75th reunion!" Nick Jacobson, in a long and thoughtful letter, suggests we view seriously the plan to move the hospital and the medical school, at a cost considerably greater than the cost of a proposed expansion plan vetoed by the Hanover Planning Board. He points out that the cost is only one of several serious problems that would be involved in the move. On the more general topic of campus concerns, he feels that the perspective afforded by his many years of close proximity to the College supports his conviction that most of the problems, overblown by the press, have had a minimal impact on the great majority of students.

This seems to tie in well with the observation by Ed Ramsey that his "constructive" misgivings were largely allayed at the Orlando Sunshine Conference in presentations by two professors, a student leader, and the president of the Alumni Council. As he puts it, Dartmouth must and does change, "difficult as it may be for some of us to accept it." Jack Thomas takes a similar position: "change is inevitable... administrators on campus will know how to handle situations better than alumni many miles away." A position, incidentally, with which I tend to agree.

Hal Klein, while disillusioned to find that his beloved and respected Alma Mater has "clay feet," feels that Dartmouth will survive and prosper and even be strengthened by its travails. Bob Richter says the remoteness of the good life in Sarasota doesn't leave much time for concerns with campus problems.

In a belated response to the inquiry about lifestyle, Howie Hinman states that "Dartmouth was a better school when we attended." Howie (thanks to sleeping on the ground for 29 days at the end of his nine and a half months in prison camp) has since developed osteoarthritis to the point where he requires a cane to get around which doesn't interfere, however, with an annual trip to Alaska for three weeks of salmon fishing.

And that's it till September. Have a good summer; peace and love to you all. All y'all.

Grant Herman '35, right was presented with the Silver Antelope Award for distinguished service to youth at the Boy Scouts of America East Central Region's 1987 Biennial Meeting in Cleveland, Ohio. Former award winner Carlyle Farnsworth, left, presented the award.