On behalf of Palaeopitus Senior Society, I would like to voice our group's deep concern regarding the current debate over alumni governance, and especially the lack of interest in the sentiments of the most important constituency affected by this controversy: Dartmouth students themselves. We know all parties involved are passionate about this issue, but frankly, we are growing weary of the inflammatory rhetoric constantly hurled back and forth between the opposing viewpoints. Both sides claim to understand student opinion and then use these assumptions to claim to know what is best for the College. What is puzzling, however, is that neither side has produced quantifiable data to support its assertions " and both parties have neglected to even approach the student body as a whole to collect this data.
Palaeopitus is a senior society composed of students with connections to all aspects of Dartmouth life. As a result, we have a wide variety of opinions about the appropriate role of alumni governance. The intent of this article is not to support one side or the other in this dispute. Rather, we are concerned with a much more important issue: the lack of consideration for student opinion in the debate.
Granted, half-hearted efforts have been made to hold informal discussions to educate students. But often these events have turned sour " into either political rallies for one side rife with propaganda and outrageous claims, or into ideological shouting matches between alumni that drowned out the student voice. Other times, the 2006 official survey of graduating seniors has been referenced. This survey addresses student satisfaction in general terms, but does not get to the heart of the issues in dispute. Additionally, in the time since the survey was distributed, conditions at the College, and therefore student opinions, may have changed. And while many alumni may think that Dartmouth students are apathetic about the substance of the debate, what may appear to be apathy is merely due to the lack of an appropriate outlet for our opinions.
The opinion pages of The Dartmouth have seen a lively debate regarding alumni governance over the past few months. Recently, Daniel Belkin '08 wrote an op-ed ("Listen to the Voiceless," Oct.3) voicing a contention similar to our own. Yet despite his urgings for more productive communication, little has been done to learn about the state of the College from the people who arguably know it best: the undergraduate students who live Dartmouth every day. Instead, we are told how we feel through incendiary articles in the national media based on anecdotal evidence.
No matter which side of the debate you are on, consider for a moment having the ability to support your qualitative arguments with legitimate quantitative data. As it is, the current debate leaves us only with further questions. What percentage of seniors is unable to enroll in classes they need for their majors? How many students believe that Dartmouth faculty should focus on teaching versus research? What do students think about whether Committee of Standards punishments should be made more severe for sexual assault offenses? Students can offer the answers to these questions. Instead of repetitive rhetoric, with quantitative data we could actually get somewhere in this tiring and increasingly embarrassing debate.
Our plea for student involvement is especially pertinent as we approach Homecoming this weekend. Whether you are a Dartmouth '11 who is experiencing the bonfire for the first time, or an alumnus who can recall the indescribable feeling you got when you first ran around the bonfire years ago, we all have a shared love for our dear College on the Hill. In my three years at Dartmouth, I have yet to meet an alumnus who did not light up as soon as I mentioned that I was a Dartmouth student. Without a doubt, alumni are a positive influence on the College. Alumni continually show their love for their alma mater by helping current students with career advice, job opportunities, and, quite often, donations to the college. Nevertheless, Palaeopitus feels that the alumni who have been perpetuating polarized discussion have allowed their love for Dartmouth to cloud what this debate is truly about " creating the highest quality college experience for students.
Future students will be the constituency most affected by the changes in College governance, yet ironically students are the group least involved in the process. It's time to work together to make our Dartmouth one we can continue to love. Dartmouth alumni: until you have quantifiable data to support your claims of student opinion, you will never possess the credibility to convince students that you are truly our representatives.
