Singularity. It is a word that can refer to everything from objects that stand alone to those crazy spots in the outer reaches of the universe where the rules of space and time no longer seem to apply. It is a quality of high regard, of difference and of distinction. Look at the College's homepage apparently we have "forged a singular identity" here in the mountains of New Hampshire. What does that mean, anyway?
A recent Boston Globe headline, linked from the College's web site, offers an answer. Celebrating Dartmouth's excitement for change under our new president, it mentions that Dartmouth seeks a "new era" after being "viewed from the outside as a conservative bastion of white privilege ruled by raucous fraternities." Is this the singular identity that we are so proud to project? I'm going to take a wild guess and say no.
How does the world see us, and should we be concerned? Is our vision for change to be catered to these outsiders who see a Dartmouth distorted? We all see Dartmouth differently the Dartmouth experienced by current students will naturally be different from that known by our loyal alumni, by our brilliant professors and by the world at large. The stakes are high as our new president articulates his vision for Dartmouth's future.
An entire Office of Public Affairs is dedicated to the College's identity as the world sees it. Its mission is to "advance the effectiveness of the College" through fostering relationships with the College's constituent groups. For the sake of this article, consider them in three different groups: the outside world of peer institutions, prospective students and public opinion; the interior world of students and professors; and the fiercely loyal Dartmouth alumni base. Dartmouth's Office of Public Affairs carried out a spectacular inauguration to showcase the very best of Dartmouth for the world to see. In fact, spectacular might be an inadequate adjective to describe the inaugural celebration, and I'm sure they wanted it no other way. There is nothing wrong with pride in excellence, nor in displaying it publicly. With an historic presidency, and media coverage across Asia and North America, inauguration was arguably the College's time to shine.
Regardless, we must recognize the danger in any aplomb that is rooted in the accolades of our peers and the outside world. We all love prestige. And there is little doubt that it pays dividends, whether it gets you your first job interview, brings the College new research grants or encourages thousands more breathless applications from high school seniors who want a coveted place here at the College. We should welcome the success that leads to a good reputation, but we must be careful that the tail doesn't end up wagging the dog.
Dartmouth's perennially under-ranked U.S. News standing is largely due to the poor peer evaluation (4.3 out of five) that is reported by presidents and deans at other Ivies and top universities. We may have a vested interest in pleasing them, as more and more prospective students cite rankings in their admissions decisions. Among those same peer institutions are schools that have downsized athletic divisions, eliminated their football teams, allowed graduate students to teach in the place of professors and dissolved their respective Greek systems. When we choose to do things differently here, we naturally invite criticism. In fact, if Dartmouth ever wants to act boldly to cure the ills of higher education, it will do just that. I do not wish to discount the criticisms of outsiders, but we must recognize whose perspective we're pleasing as we move Dartmouth forward. Allowing graduate students to teach classes instead of professors would do wonders for our average class size numbers, but do little for our educational excellence. Really putting the thumb down on kegs at Greek parties would show the world that Dartmouth isn't hostage to the raucous fraternity lobby, but would unfortunately lead to more waste and faster alcohol consumption.
As the College makes decisions on everything from AMP and keg policy to athletics and undergraduate education, let it keep external opinion in mind, though not in focus. We must act in the interests of pragmatism, effectiveness and efficiency, while making sure to maintain the spirit of the College we know and love. If we are successful in this endeavor, the image and identity many of us are so concerned about will take care of itself.
