The explanations for the Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid's recommendation that Dartmouth change from NCAA Division I-AA to Division III are dubious and discriminatory.
The report endorses the change because it would eliminate 100 recruited athletes, who average $2,525 more per year in financial aid than non-athletes. The report also states that athletes are an academic burden because their SATs and first-year GPAs are lower than non-athletes.
There are numerous problems with the committee's arguments. The first is the eradication of 100 athletes in favor of 100 non-minority students. If the College is going to eliminate these athletes in favor of wealthier, non-minority students, why not discriminate against all applicant groups that average more aid than non-minority students? This policy would dramatically alter the diversity of individuals and character upon which this school supposedly prides itself.
The committee's complaint that the SATs of athletes are not up to par is problematic in much the same way. If the College is so worried about its academic reputation as represented by average SAT scores, then why not eliminate all groups, like minorities, who average lower scores than do the majority of students?
As Athletic Director Dick Jaeger said, "There's so much more to a person than statistics indicate." At least that's what the College tells us in its mission to create well rounded, multidimensional individuals. Claiming that Division I-AA athletes are an academic burden to the school on the basis of their SAT scores is a contradiction to the basic premise of a liberal arts education, that says that a student has far more depth and breath of talent than any test score could indicate.
By proposing the move to Division III, the committee is sending the message that athletic excellence can no longer coexist with academic excellence. Division III athletics are considerably less competitive than Division I-AA. The Ivy League should be praised as one of the few remaining conferences in the country in which both athletic and academic excellence remain. A move to Division III would change the equation to academic excellence and athletic mediocrity.
The report also ignores intangibles like campus pride good athletic teams evoke, and the welcome diversion competitive sports provides thousands of student spectators. A move to Division III would lessen attendance and the appeal of Dartmouth sports.
The committee's proposal to demote Dartmouth athletics to NCAA Division III is a selfish and unjust way of saving the College some money. If the proposed change takes place, 100 talented student-athletes will not be accepted because of their financial strain on the school.
By justifying this move by claiming deficient test scores of athletes, the College is sending the message to students that this place doesn't appreciate the distinct and differing abilities and talents of its students.
By changing athletics to Division III, the College would lose much of its prided diversity, and the drop in the level of athletic quality would have a profound effect on the level of student satisfaction with the College, which is already on the decline.
