Seniority
quote/unquote "One aspect of football that is taken for granted is the amount of studying required to play. I'm accustomed to staying up late with my nose in a book—or playbook." —CASEY CRAMER '04 ON BEING CHOSEN IN THE SEVENTH ROUND OF THE NFL DRAFT BY THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Idealistic, altruistic, independent—a decidely unscientific DAM survey of the graduating class reveals that Dartmouth's newest alums would rather do good than make money and, if given their druthers, would choose to work for themselves.
More than half the respondents are more likely to become city dwellers after their four years in the Upper Valley. Nearly 70 percent of the new alumni expect to be back on campus even as 59 percent say Homecoming is the weekend they'll miss most. (Note to development: Only 47 percent plan to donate regularly to the College.)
This year's grads are concerned about the war in Iraq and pessimistic about peace in the Middle East. The majority of respondents identified themselves as Democrats and, by a wider margin, say John Kerry is their choice for president.
Presumably, grads will be paying more attention to the economy in years to come than they are now: 45 percent were baffled by a question about private investment accounts for Social Security.
Are '04s more or less inclined to live in abig city after living in Hanover? More 65% Less 35%
Their immediate post-graduation plans are: Employment 35% Graduate school 33% No clue 17% Volunteering/unpaid internship 13% Hanging out/traveling 2%
Could they have predicted this in 2000? Yes 45% No 55%
Their first full-time jobs will be: In keeping with long-term goals 84% Just a way to make a living 16%
Their ideal jobs would mean working for: Themselves 28% An academic institution 14% A nonprofit organization 14% A small business 10% A research institute or hospital 10% A large corporation or firm 8% Other (including government) 16%
Long-term, it is more important to them to: Do good 88% Make money 12%
Short-term, they'd choose a job that would: Pay little for something they love 80% Pay $60,000 for something they're not passionate about 20%
Do they think private investment accountsfor Social Security are a good idea? Yes 28% No 27% Huh? 45%
Will they donate money to Dartmouth on aregular basis? Yes 47% No 53%
Do they believe in God? Yes 49% No 51% Voces Clamantium: "I don't subscribe to any of the major religions' take on higher power. I am too wary of their absolutes." "Yes. But I don't go to church." "Yes. If God is renamed Mother Nature." "I believe in God as a force that ties us to each other and our surroundings, not as a man sitting in the clouds determining the outcome of my life."
"I would have classified myself as agnostic when entering Dartmouth, and my view has changed as a result of an independent study project."
With whom will.. '04s live?
Dartmouth friends 33% Your guess is as good as mine 30% Random new apartment mates 15% Alone 12% Family 10 %
For whom do '04s plan to vote in the November presidential election? Kerry 80% Bush 5% Undecided 15%
Their political affiliation? Democrat 61% Independent 22% Republican 14% Third Party (Green, Libertarian, etc.) 3%
Voces Clamantium: "No party can adequately represent my views." "I'm pretty apolitical, but Dartmouth seems to be left-leaning and this has caused me to distance myself from politics even further." "I entered leaning toward the Green Party. Now I would vote for a Green only in a local election."
"Confronted with large amounts of liberal, feminist propaganda, I've been forced to strengthen my beliefs and develop strong arguments against ideas I do not think are correct. Reading The Dartmouth Review has helped shape my Republican beliefs."
Will they visit Dartmouth regularly? Yes 67% No 33%
Which Big Green weekend they will missmost? Homecoming 59% Green Key 30% Winter Carnival 10% Tubestock 1% Voces Clamantium: "I savor every weekend I have with my friends, whether or not other people institutionalize their binge drinking."
SURVEY SAYS.
As Dartmouth College President I Would...
"Maintain a small-school environment and end the school's indiscriminate expansion."
"Improve social options and recruit a more diverse student body."
"Find a way to lower tuition costs."
"Provide more living options like Foley House or the sustainable living center proposed for the farm."
"Build new dorms."
"Build new gym facilities."
"Make it a greener campus."
"Have professors that respect the culture at Dartmouth rather than simply complaining that Dartmouth students care more about beer than their class."
"Maintain the Greek system and highlight the positive influence it has."
"Modify the D-plan." "Eliminate the D-plan."
Reduce the amount students are charged for parking tickets."
"Make class sizes smaller and offer more courses per term."
"Orient the education around teaching, not research."
"Not try to be the next Harvard."
"Address the problems of diversity."
"Cut unnecessary expenditures to promote diversity."
"Improve student/administration relations."
"Try to foster a stronger sense of the importance of working for others and a better understanding of what success should mean."
SURVEY SAYS... There will be peace in the Middle East: "About the same time that intolerance disappears." "As soon as we recognize Palestine." "Maybe in the next generation. People can't go on fighting-can't hate one another—eternally, can they?"
SURVEY SAYS... U.S. troops will be out of Iraq: "As soon as Bush's warmongers are out of office." "Never." "I didn't want to go to war with Iraq, but we're there now and everything is in shambles. This is America's mess and we have to clean it up."
SURVEY SAYS... The best part of College life was: "Consistently finding new interests through my classes and being able to pursue them to my heart's content." "The people I met and the places I've been." "FSPs." "Spending quality time outdoors." | "The sense of community." "Being able to have lots of fun while still getting a top-notch education." "Social life and small seminars." "Research opportunities." "Making the best friends of my life."
