Are you, the current Dartmouth student, happy with what you see? In terms of academics, student life and campus culture, what do you like and dislike about Dartmouth? What makes you proud? What makes you cringe? Where would you like to see the College in 10 years?
President Freedman's resignation has given the Board of Trustees the opportunity to think about the direction of the College as it heads into its next decade. His departure in June leaves little time to find his successor -- who will shape and guide the course of the College as Freedman has since 1987.
The Presidential Search Committee has already begun its work. Its first few meetings will identify issues, challenges and concerns facing the future president and the College, after which the search for specific candidates best suited to deal with these challenges will commence. It is essential that the student body express its thoughts and perspectives on Dartmouth to give the Committee an accurate picture of the College. The student representative needs to have as comprehensive an understanding of your concerns as possible.
In addition to the student representative, there are one alumni representative, six faculty members and six Trustees on the committee. William King, Jr. is the chairperson and sole spokesperson for the committee. The Committee is charged with recommending two to five candidates for consideration by the Board of Trustees. The first meeting was held at the end of Fall term, and at least two meetings will be held each month.
Prior to winter break, the Student Assembly met with the Committee. The Assembly will compile a report identifying the most important issues, challenges and concerns from the perspective of the student body. To do this we need your help! We have written a letter to every organization on campus encouraging input. More than anything, however, we need input from each and every student. The opportunity to help define the future course of the College is a rare occurrence. Here is your chance to impact Dartmouth history. Right here, right now.
Dartmouth College has undergone dramatic changes during President Freedman's tenure. As a spokesperson for the liberal arts, he has helped increase scholarship and intellectualism. He has managed to double the College's endowment while initiating major construction projects which include the psychology building, Berry library, the special collections library and the Thayer School expansion. Under his presidency, the College has reached gender parity and greatly diversified the student body.
The next president will deal with issues including race and ethnicity, gender relations, social space, programming, the Greek system, north campus expansion, the admissions process and the commitment to academic excellence. The way in which the next president deals with these issues will dramatically influence the course of the College, just as Freedman has. The president oversees both the undergraduate and graduate communities. One of Dartmouth's trademarks, however, is its commitment to undergraduates. For this reason, it is even more important that undergraduates voice their opinions to the committee.
Please take a few minutes (you know, before classes start getting to you...) to share your thoughts on the future of the College and issues that will be important over the next 10 years. You can send your comments to Erica Ryu or the Student Assembly.
Your Dartmouth experience and diploma will forever link you to the College, and in the future that experience and diploma will be associated with the state of the College at that time. This is your opportunity to have a lasting impact on the next generation of students. We challenge you to assess your experience here both academically and culturally, and we challenge you to envision something even better. We challenge you to make a difference.
