SHOULD DARTMOUTH OFFER A THREE-YEAR BACCALAUREATE?

Because of die flexibility afforded by the Dartmouth Plan, it is currently possible for students at Dartmouth to accelerate their program and to complete'the the baccalaureate degree in three years. It is the case that the student completing the program in three years would almost-necessarily have had to have a significant number of advanceplacement credits upon ma tiriaiLuion.

As a general principle, I would not be in favor of accelerating the program for all of our students. Completion of the liberal-arts program at a school like Dartmouth requires more than checking off required courses and meeting minimum expectations. Accelerated programs would likely have less opportunity to participate in our off-campus activities, and they assuredly would have no opportunity to participate in internships or some of the other study, work, or travel opportunities that so many Dartmouth students select.

None of this is to say that we all are not obligated to be looking to ways to rethink some educational processes and to introduce cost and tuition savings where appropriate.

JamesWright