News
Fourth in a series of articles about James O. Freedman.
In the shadow of a national economic slowdown, Dartmouth's finances under James Freedman proved strong enough to provide confidence in this President's ambitious hopes for the College.
Colleges and universities across the country are facing smaller returns from endowments, reduced federal support for research and financial aid and education costs that are rising faster than inflation.
At a time when many prestigious universities are experiencing budget deficit crises that have forced deep cutbacks of academic programs and neglect of maintenance needs, Dartmouth has maintained a balanced budget and is proceeding with several bold moves in financial planning: the new curriculum; a reaffirmation of need-blind admissions; a blitz of building construction and campus development; and -- to pay for it all -- the most ambitious fund-raising effort in the College's history.
And though fund raising was not his top priority when he took over the President's office, the College's financial health is the key to the Dartmouth education of today and Freedman's hopes and goals for the future.
Earlier this month, the College's bond credit rating was upgraded to the highest level possible shared by a group of ten universities considered most financially sound in the nation.
Early in his presidency Freeman formed the Planning and Steering Committee, a group of administrators, faculty and students charged with charting the course for Dartmouth to enter the 21st century.
The committee produced a 150-page report recommending substantial changes to the College, including major campus development north of Baker Library and a comprehensive review of the curriculum.
Five years later north campus development construction is underway and the new curriculum has been approved.
