Bill Wellstead '63 thinks Dean of Admissions Karl Furstenburg should receive a pink slip as punishment for the Dean's recently revealed stance on the Dartmouth football program.
Wellstead, who runs the Dartmouth Athletics weblog where he posts news articles and letters from fellow alumni, is just one of a growing number of alums who are angry over a personal letter that revealed Furstenberg's belief that the football program detracts from the academic mission of the College.
Alumni are communicating these sentiments through different means. Many have chosen to contact College President James Wright directly through BlitzMail messages, hoping for a more detailed response than he provided in an official letter posted on the Dartmouth website. There, Wright expressed his confidence in Furstenberg's commitment to his position.
Others have aired their gripes on open online discussion forums. Some have even chosen to discontinue their giving to the College or to instead reallocate their funds.
"The only acceptable way out of this crisis is for Jim [Wright] to demand or ask for Karl [Furstenberg]'s resignation," Wellstead said. "I think that's exactly what President Wright needs to do, and now he's just reaffirmed that he will not do that, and that is a highly unfortunate decision."
Rob Daisley '80, a contributor to Wellstead's blog, said he believes it is necessary for Furstenberg to reflect on former athletes who have gone on to become leaders to fully understand the importance of athletics.
"Does the Dean know who Bruce Rauner is and Jeff Immelt is? Does he understand that concept, that people who are outstanding football players can be and often are outstanding contributors to the Dartmouth community?" Daisley said. Immelt '78 is now Chairman of General Electric and Rauner '78 is managing principal of the private equity firm Golder, Thoma, Cressey, Rauner, Inc.
Daisley, who describes himself as "ridiculously loyal" to the school and its athletic programs, remains among the more level-headed in his sentiments toward Furstenberg, asking only that he take responsibility for himself and decide whether his views agree with the mission of the College.
"He needs to be honest," Paisley said.
Brian Conroy '86, a former football player, had pledged to fund a scholarship that would allow a needy student to attend the College. However, with the publication of Dean Furstenberg's letter to the President of Swarthmore College, Conroy has chosen to suspend the gift for the time being, according to the Valley News.
Conroy is only one example of an alumnus rethinking his contributions to the College. Several alums plan to divert their money to the football program or to other athletics rather than give it directly to the Dartmouth College Fund, Wellstead said.
Despite the decisions Conroy and likeminded alumni have made in response to Furstenberg's comments, donations to the Dartmouth College Fund remain high. According to Carrie Pelzel, vice president for development of the fund, the volume of contributions has been as high as it has ever been during this holiday season.
Alumni, however, have been calling the fund office with questions regarding the contentious letter. As the calculation of alumni donations is still underway, the effects of the Furstenberg controversy may become clearer in the upcoming months.
