Abolishing the education department flies in the face of the College's aim to provide students with a well-rounded education and to equip them with an appreciation for the value of education.
With the privilege of attending Dartmouth comes a responsibility to make a positive contribution to society. One of the most effective ways to make this contribution is through teaching. Without an education department, the College will be unable to offer teaching certificates or comprehensive teaching experience to students. If Dartmouth students, who are unquestionably suited for the job, want to teach, it is a shame not to provide them this opportunity. Many students choose to come to Dartmouth because of its national number-one ranking in teaching. It does not follow that the College does not consider teaching important enough to be taught.
Some have criticized education classes for being vocational training -- training that has no role in a liberal arts institution. But education plays an important role in the liberal arts curriculum. It is not enough to be educated -- it is important to understand the value of education and its central and pervasive role in society.
Education 20 is one of the most popular courses at Dartmouth and many students cite education classes among the most inspirational experiences of their Dartmouth careers. Administrators have said, should the department be abolished, its courses will continue to be offered by faculty from other departments. But the resources made available because of the program's departmental status will disappear, and the community fostered by a common interest in education will be scattered, which will limit discussion and the sharing of ideas.
Since the Social Sciences Council recommended to abolish the education department at the beginning of the term, it has offered no explanation for its decision beyond reporting that the department has administrative problems. The administration has kept the future of the department shrouded in secrecy. Associate Dean of the Faculty George Wolford said not all of the department's problems "are appropriate for public discussion." The administration has not evidenced that the department contains irreparable problems. Tonight's meeting at 8 p.m. in 105 Dartmouth Hall is an opportunity for students to ask questions of the administrators who will influence whether the department will be abolished and to express their concern over issues in their own education.