College President James Wright reflected on his efforts to improve student life, academics and diversity during his controversial first five years in office in a recently released report.
Wright has been criticized during his tenure for plans to transform Dartmouth's student life, especially as it relates to the Greek system. Restrictions on Greek organizations implemented under the Student Life Initiative included the prohibition of bars and taps, the moratorium on new single-sex houses and Winter-term rush.
But, Wright said in an interview yesterday with The Dartmouth that he has "never tried to impose regulations on the Greek system."
Wright said the SLI, which sparked student protests after its announcement, was "about trying to make the Greek system stronger. One of the success stories has been the way the Greek system has responded to challenges."
Still, students remain critical of the administration's Greek policy.
"I think that the administration started to realize that their initial feelings toward the Greek system are incorrect, and the Greek system is still very vibrant and popular," Student Body President Janos Marton '04 said.
Wright's tenure is also marked by controversy over the abrupt cuts of the College's swimming and diving teams in November 2002, which came as part of a series of budget reductions and resulted in widespread student protest.
"It was not a decision that was made flippantly," Wright said, citing a series of meetings in which College administrators weighed options for reducing the athletic budget.
"It's fair to raise a question of process," Wright said when asked about student concern over their lack of input in making the decision. "I have no real explanation. I don't know how you would have set that up in a different way."
The swimming and diving teams were eventually reinstated due to more than $2 million in donations. Student Body Vice President Noah Riner '06 applauded Wright for his involvement in the process.
"At first, the administration was really negative toward all efforts to bring the swim team back, but in the end, largely because of President Wright, we were able to reach a compromise and get the team back," Riner said.
Wright's plans for Dartmouth academics have sparked debate on the relative importance of teaching versus research since his announcement speech in April 1998, when he declared, "Dartmouth is a research university in all but name."
In his interview with The Dartmouth, Wright dismissed the notion that a tradeoff exists between teaching and research.
According to the five-year report, Dartmouth attracts more money for research today than it did when Wright took office. Research sponsorship, largely from federal grants and contracts, rose from $79 million in 1998 to $157 million in 2002.
A hallmark of Wright's administration has been an emphasis on diversity. According to the report, the College is more diverse now than it has ever been.
"Diversity is about more than admissions or recruiting or hiring. Diversity is about the experience here." Wright said. "I think it's become a more welcoming and tolerant place, but we continue to have work to do."
Five years after taking office, Wright has not accomplished all his goals.
"My frustration has been that we have not had the resources on all the things we set out to do," Wright said.
Wright said he hopes to follow through on projects that could not be addressed during the recent economic downturn, including building new residence halls and student social spaces. He also plans to build new academic facilities in math, engineering and the arts.
In sum, student leaders indicated their respect for the College President.
Former IFC President Kyle Smith '04 said the Greek system was in need of reform when the SLI was introduced, but that houses have since made progress.
"They took all these privileges, and they said you have to change, and we have," Smith said, indicating his hope that the College will start allowing Greek houses the same rights they once had.
Assembly executives were optimistic about Wright's future.
"In his first five years, his administration had some serious missteps," Marton said. "But he's a good person, and some of his long-term ideas will probably be really successful."
Riner agreed. "I think President Wright is someone who cares about students, and while we've definitely had differences in the past and will in the future, we're trying to work from a common ground," he said.
As for the next five years, Wright said his goals remain the same. "Five years is not a place for me to redo an agenda," he said.
