To the Editor.
The letter from my colleagues (Professors Montgomery, Hudson & Thorstensen) on "D-Plan crams courses" (May 10, 1995) may continue the confusion regarding the D-Plan. What defines the D-Plan is the required summer term, not the three course, ten-week term that is identified as the "big problem" in their letter. Many years ago the faculty had an opportunity to change all this.The Curriculum Committee on Year Round Operation (CCYRO) presented a new trimester plan to the faculty. I chaired the sub-committee on the calendar that recommended three periods of 14 weeks each, with real reading and vacation periods. Students would be required to take one summer 14-week term. A clear reduction of the "on/off," "in/out" cycles of the present plan. The faculty voted it down 111 to 81. I recall very clearly that the core resistance to the plan came from the physical sciences, including the department of Mathematics. Has there been a change of mind?
Many years have passed since that debate on calendar and curriculum. Many now on the faculty were not here to debate the issues. I am surprised, however, that my colleagues from Physics and Astronomy think that "for some reason nothing can be done." That is simply not true. Perhaps it is time to once again debate whether Dartmouth should, 1) continue the D-Plan (i.e. the required summer term), 2) tinker once again with the ten-week term or, 3) switch to a new semester or trimester system.
