Modernization of academic facilities and increased efforts to promote diversity among the initiatives proposed by College President James Wright in a new comprehensive plan for Dartmouth's future.
Wright's "Strategic Vision" -- the most in-depth evaluation published since 1990 -- outlines the future of the College's undergraduate and graduate programs and appraises its current position in the community of higher education.
"The document itself reflects a lot of discussions with students and faculty and colleagues over the last two years," Wright said. "We certainly are trying to move this into closure."
While Dartmouth's undergraduate population will remain stable in the future, Wright acknowledged in the report that "our small graduate programs could benefit from moderate expansion in their student bodies."
A 2000 study commissioned by the Board of Trustees to evaluate the D-Plan academic schedule found that its benefits outweighed the costs of instituting a nine-month academic calendar, he added.
Following a two percent decline in the College's endowment during the first half of the current fiscal year, the Trustees found that they "cannot commit to assume any new expenditures that do not further a clear priority and identify a revenue source to support it," according to the draft.
Vice President for Development Carolyn Pelzel will examine ways to implement Dartmouth's next capital campaign and increase the College's endowment, which provides 30 percent of the yearly budget. Improved fiscal planning to support students receiving financial aid was also made a priority.
"We have to translate some of this into specific goals for a capital campaign," Wright said. "We're all ready to move ahead and implement this."
An expansion of the first-year writing program and a small increase in the faculty pool "where such additions can make an intellectual difference" were proposed, although Wright noted that Dartmouth has a faculty/student ratio higher than those at most other Ivy League institutions.
The draft described the planned construction of a parking structure, buildings to house the mathematics department and the Dickey Center and the expansion and renovation of the Hopkins Center and Thayer Dining Hall. Energy conservation techniques will be implemented in future construction.
While Wright lauded recent increases in minority enrollment, he argued that diversity must be improved among senior members of the College's administration. The plan neglected to mention the proposed Asian-American studies program that has been widely debated in recent weeks.
In a continuation of the policies outlined by the Student Life Initiative of 1999, Wright addressed the need for more student-controlled spaces on campus, more social alternatives for students and the full integration of coed, fraternity and sorority organizations into the residential system.
The draft, which Wright said in an announcement of its availability "has been a multifaceted process that included many productive conversations," is posted on the College's website under the title "Dartmouth College: Forever New."
