To the Editor:
I read last week's article on the National Science Foundation decision to end funding for Dartmouth's new Center for Cognitive and Educational Neuroscience with mixed feelings ("College to lose most of $21.8m NSF grant," April 12). As an undergraduate researcher in the Psychological and Brain Sciences department for the past two years, and one of the students asked to present research at the recent NSF review of CCEN, I am glad the issue is being discussed. However, I was disappointed that the article did not tackle the fact that CCEN's withdrawn funding is merely a reflection of greater problems surrounding the psychology department that are shortchanging undergraduate students.
In addition to the departure of professor Gazzaniga mentioned in the article, three other psychology professors, two of whom led research that played a large role in the CCEN proposal, have recently announced their upcoming departure from the College. An education professor with research involved in CCEN has also formally announced his departure. Last year, two more PBS faculty, one with CCEN-related research, did the same. At a college as small as Dartmouth, this is a mass exodus.
But putting aside the question of why these professors are leaving in droves, the consequences for students are disturbing. Dartmouth prides itself on providing undergraduates with faculty committed to research and teaching in their fields, yet psychology classes are being taught by adjunct faculty who can't offer students learning opportunities outside of class because they do not conduct research on campus. With a smaller scope of expertise available, course offerings in important areas like clinical, abnormal and developmental psychology range from limited to nonexistent.
The recent demise of CCEN funding and the departure of so many professors associated with CCEN and the PBS department raise troubling questions about the state of an academic community with a large student population. I hope the department keeps undergraduates in mind when looking for answers.
