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| College's "Success Story" Featured in Article, Book |
Dickinson College has worked over the past few years to strengthen its distinctive characteristics and raise its national profile. The college's efforts have been recognized in an article in the September/October 2003 issue of Change, the magazine of higher learning. Published by the American Association for Higher Education, Change "spotlights trends, provides new insights and ideas, and analyzes the implications of educational programs and practices." |
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| Online Discussion |
Name: Robin Grover, Alumni Class of 1975
Date: Tue Aug 26 2003—19:18
Message:
I think its a very good article; it doesn't gloss over the very real problems Bill Durden inherited. The college's startling decline and the excuses made by those previously in authority to mask it were evident to even a casual observer ("rankings don't matter"; "other schools are falling too", "students are better than ever before" were but a few of those I read and heard). For the past four years, Dickinson has been moving in the right direction, and considerable progress has been made but there remains a long way to go, even to reach where the college was in the 1970s. Nonetheless, I believe the right actions are being taken and very talented people are in place. As a consequence, I, like many alumni friends, feel far better about the school, its leadership and its future than I did from 1986 to 1998.
Name: David Bedick, Class of '67
Date: Tue Aug 26 2003—20:01
Message:
Wow. Had no idea that Dickinson had gone into a temporary slump in the early 1990's. Glad to hear this has been reversed, and we have gotten a major piece of good press release. It's funny how internationalism has been a cornerstone of Dickinson's revival. I was an English-French double major, with a semester at the Sorbonne and at the time, I thought I was bucking a trend; little did I know I was in the advance crest of a wave. I noted that the college has adopted Antonio Banderas as a spokesperson, after giving him an honorary degree. I think we should invite Rosie O'Donnell back and give her an honorary degree. She attended, but didn't graduate. I'm sure she would give us some press notices.
Name: Matt Creme, Clss of 1977
Date: Tue Aug 26 2003—21:10
Message:
From the minute of Bill Durden's arrival it felt good to have an Alumnus in the President's House again. Visit's to campus recently have had as their impetus my oldest daughter's interest in the College. It was like going to see an old friend. The look, the feel and the spirit of learning in a place that liked to have fun too causd a flood of happy memories to surge. She has decided to apply early decision as soon as she is allowed to do so.
Name: Lindsey (Goodman) Iacovino , Class of '75
Date: Tue Aug 26 2003—21:18
Message:
From personal experience, I knew that Bill Durden had made great strides in re-engaging what had become a fairly disenfranchised alumni population. But I had no idea just how major this progress was until I saw those remarkable statistics showing the increase in alumni giving. Way to go Bill!
As a previous poster stated, it does feel good to have an alum in the President's House again! And my (Junior in high school) daughter is also now looking at Dickinson with renewed interest.
Name: Kimberly H. Link, Class of 1989, admissions staff member 89-92
Date: Tue Aug 26 2003—23:11
Message:
I applaud President Durden, the faculty, and in particular, the admissions and development staffs for the transformation that has taken place at D'son.
I find it interesting that I have finally learned what has really been happening behind the scenes at Dickinson during the last decade from this article! I realize it might have been uncomfortable to admit that the "chips were down at Dickinson" during the 90s. However, it seems to me that transparency with alumni (especially those who have served the college professionally...) and a call to action for support might have benefitted everyone.
I recognized President Durden as a visionary when he arrived, but until now, didn't realize how muli-faceted his plans were going to need to be to change the course for Dickinson's future.
I am so relieved my alma mater is on the path it so deserves. I knew the admissions picture was "stale" when I left the staff in '92.
I suffered through the many philosophical debates about enticement scholarships and the outcome always being D'son taking the high moral ground of not "buying students." While I agree with this in principle in an ideal world, I saw first hand how we were losing ground by not thinking more strategically within the changing marketplace.
I have now had my own experience in being a part of institutional change for a K-8 Waldorf school. I applaud and have tremendous respect for President Durden for his focus and determination...and ability to work with faculty in a way that I am sure is "tough love."
I look forward to supporting admissions outreach here in Colorado this year with Terra Vasold's visit to Denver in October. If I can support other college initiatives, please let me know.
In gratitude,
Kimberly Harrison Link '89
P.S. I miss a logo that captures more of the college's present reputation for leadership in the international community as well as its history. But, I defer to the experts in this area. Just some feedback...
Name: George Honadle, class of 1966, member of first group to study in Bologna
Date: Wed Aug 27 2003—09:13
Message:
Excellent!
Many of us who graduated some time ago became bothered by the decline in the college in the mid-eighties and into the nineties. And even before that, the focus on the past seemed to reflect small thinking by the leadership.
Part of the problem was not admitting the problem. You cannot solve what you do not recognize.
The first indication of a turnaround was the change from a founding date of 1773 to 1783—engaging fact rather than myth and finding a positive note in an identity as a "revolutionary college" instead of as a "colonial college."
Some of us identify with the idea of Dickinson as a college with "attitude" and with the phrase "distinctively Dickinson." Also, I find that the college has become very strong in three areas that define my professional niche—I focus on INSTITUTIONAL aspects of ENVIRONMENTALly sound INTERNATIONAL development. My personal professional trajectory and that of the college have evolved in parallel fashion.
And I have "attitude." And I found that the college prepared me very very well for graduate school and professional work. So, I applaud the changes as Dickinson recaptures its old self (we even had common readings back in the 60s) by transforming itself.
I also applaud Bill Durden's leadership. And I do not fear articles and publicity that identify weaknesses as well as accomplishments and strengths. Without the courage to engage in conscious self-criticism it is not possible to build the reservoirs of character and bravery that separate the great from the good. The college is on the right path, its own path rather than in the footsteps of others.
I would, however, like to nudge a bit. We live in a delusional society where life on earth is often defined as what people do to people—culture, politics, etc. As much as my career has been built on recognizing the role of culture in economic development, I understand that taken to an extreme this is hubris.
Without geological and evolutionary time scales as a foundation (like a grey limestone campus representing nature instead of a brick one representing human artifacts), the liberal arts can become involuted. I would like to see a component of "distinctively Dickinson" become "nature across the curriculum" where the interactions between natural and social phenomena become a standard part of all studies. Dickinson graduates of all ilks should be ecologically literate citizens if they are to provide leadership in an increasingly crowded world.
Another comment—leadership. I have worked in 28 countries, most of them in Africa and Asia. People who work in these places have to deal with the problems created by consensus-based decision making. But upon returning to the US we find people enamored with consensus as a decision style. It has become a romantic banner that has been uncritically accepted by people who do not understand its nature.
Oppression, not progress, benefits most from consensus. But in today's myopia this is left out of the discussion. This should be noted in reading the article becuase there is an underlying theme that criticism of the change process is based on a desire for consensus before motion. I am sure I do not agree with Bill Durden on some things (even though I have not found them yet) but his style and the people that he has brought to campus are both necessities at this point in the college's history.
The fact that this article is being shared with the college community (including alumni) is also an indicator of positive change.
Name: Bob Massa, Vice President
Date: Wed Aug 27 2003—09:49
Message:
David Kirp's article is well done and balanced for the most part, and describes well how an institution with a firm foundation of excellence can break away from the pack. As Kirp and other observers of higher education understand very well, however, colleges need resources in order to sustain and enhance creative programs, superior faculty and staff, and engaged, accomplished students—in short, to be a great college. Dickinson's practice of discouting its tuition by 50% from 1996-99 had a disastrous effect on the college's finances, though it did help to turn the corner on the demand for Dickinson (applications increased from a low of about 2700 in 96 to 3400 in 99). But as I have said many times before, "pricing" is but one part of the equation—the value of the experience must be communicated and "outcomes" must be revealed. We want students to enroll at Dickinson because they believe it is the best place for them, not because its the least expensive.
This notion of value is what has attracted a record number of applicants this past year. Because of this, our need to discount heavily has declined—which will, of course, allow the college to invest more in our excellent programs.
Kirp states that the college now aids "just 60%" of its students (down from an unsustainable 82% in 1999). Two points here. First, most of the major universities in the top tier aid 35% to 40% of their students, and most top liberal arts colleges are in the 40-45% range, with discount rates (financial aid divided by gross tution revenue) in the high 20s or low 30s. The fact that Dickinson aids 60% (and all but 10% of that is need-based), and that our discount rate is 33% justifies an exclamation point or two after "60%," not the descriptor "just." Secondly, Dickinson continues its strong commitment to access and need based aid as evidenced by the fact that half of our students receive aid.
It is naive to think that a college (with the exception of those with multi-billion dollar endowments) can aid many more than half and still operate. Someone, of course, has to pay.
I will not take on Kirp's notion of the Dickinson logo, other than to say that this does NOT replace the seal, but rather is a wordmark. We could have selected a bold typeface for the words "Dickinson College" and created a wordmark that was traditional and horizontal. Instead, we wanted to create a "stamp" with the words—almost in line with a passport type stamp for obvious reasons—that was different from what other colleges use. When you want to "break away from the pack," you need to take some risks and to be a little different. That Dickinson was able to do this and still remain true to its mission is a testimony not only to our faculty and the leadership here in Carlisle, but also to countless alumni who love and support their college. Thank you!
Name: Jane Clifford, Alumna, Class of '72
Date: Wed Aug 27 2003—10:32
Message:
As a Dickinson graduate who has taken an academic route in life, I appreciate the leadership style of Bill Durden, as described in the "Change" article. I also applaud the task force that created the vision and strategic plan to move the college in the requisite direction. As a young faculty member at a medical school, I was always waving the flag of faculty governance. As a department chair, I now try very hard to solicit input from faculty on matters requiring action on my part. However, the article highlights a major problem in the system of faculty governance—it takes time, and decisions often need to be made quickly to have an impact. A leader has to be able to make these decions and has to be trusted in doing so. As they say, that's why he makes the big bucks. He seems to have made decisions that have turned around the college and as such, the faculty should be happy.
With the tide changed, it will be important for Dr. Durden to involve the faculty in future decisions. However, the faculty must trust their leader to implement their recommendations as he sees fit.
I have one specific issue, how do you more heavily weigh SAT scores to reduce the problem of disaapearing males and yet not require SATs for admission?
Name: Bob Massa, Vice President
Date: Wed Aug 27 2003—13:04
Message:
Good question, Jane. SATs are weighed more heavily in academic scholarship consideration—they are required for those wishing to compete for the John Dickinson and Benjamin Rush scholarships (this does not include need-based grants). When we have SATs, which we do for about 90% of the applicants, they are weighed into the admission decision after grades and curriculum. For the "non-submitters," every other part of their application has to be very strong in order to be successful in admission.
Name: Neil Weissman, Provost, Professor of History, Dickinson College
Date: Wed Aug 27 2003—15:52
Message:
David Kirp is right. Dickinson has had remarkable success in responding to the challenges that currently face liberal arts colleges. That success is significantly due to the dynamic, even charismatic leadership of Bill Durden. Yet Kirp's article misses a critically important part of the picture—the role of the faculty in Bill's and the College's accomplishments.
Kirp does note that key academic programs propelling Dickinson forward were developed by faculty in the 1990's. These include, for example, our extraordinary program in global education and such innovations as the Clarke Center, interdisciplinary majors in International Business &Management and Biochemistry &Molecular Biology, and the American Mosaic. Kirp fails to mention that faculty were also aware of the increasingly competitive external environment of the 1990s.
They, working through our all-College committee structure, scrutinized and debated Dickinson's policies in such critical areas as admissions and fundraising. They proposed, and sometimes were able to implement, change.
Since Bill's arrival, all-College committees and task forces, including especially the group that drafted our Strategic Plan, have served as effective vehicles for institutional advance. They have mobilized the faculty behind change, contributed their own set of new ideas, and helped adjust to setbacks. Last fall, for example, when other colleges and universities were reeling as a consequence of falling endowments, our Planning &Budget Committee quickly found the efficiencies needed to keep the College on course forward. Dickinson did not during the 1990s suffer, as Kirp claims, from "that familiar academic malady, sclerosis by governance through faculty committee."
It does not so suffer now.
The success of the Durden administration in reality resulted from the confluence of two dynamic streams - new administrative leadership and forward-looking faculty. Bill demonstrated his adeptness as a leader not in applying what Kirp mistakenly sees as "top-down management." Rather, he effectively identified the real strengths of Dickinson's program and harnessed the energies of the majority of the faculty, who were anxious to be partners in change. The same is also and importantly true for the wider Dickinson community, including trustees, students, alumni, parents and friends.
Without this dimension of the Dickinson story, one really can't explain how Bill -- and all of us -- are "creating a buzz" without "sacrificing the soul" of the College. Administration at Dickinson operates within the context of strong, effective collegial governance, and happily so.
Presidents who imagine that the right response to the challenges facing liberal arts colleges is to impose new policies top-down will find themselves creating a "buzz" very different from Dickinson's.
Name: Melissa A Capone, Dickinson Alum, class of 1998
Date: Wed Aug 27 2003—16:50
Message:
Overall I have to say that David Kirp's article concerning Dickinson was very informative and well written, not to mention an ego boost for the college itself. As an alumnus reading the article, I couldn't help but feel a touch of pride at some of the accolades that Mr. Kirp made regarding Dickinson, its past and present achievements and its bright and hopeful future. I have been proud, as an alum, to hear about the new and exciting plans my alma matter has for its present and future. I love visiting the campus and seeing all of the improvements and hearing the updates on how well Dickinson is doing.
However, as an alumnus of Dickinson's graduating class of 1998, I also couldn't help but feel slightly insulted at what was said about the college during my years there and my "Simpsons cohort" generation, even with President Durden trying to soften the blow in his introduction to this article.
I can completely understand and see now that the school was undergoing some problems during that time period, including financial and image-quality issues. Although, admittedly, as a student at that time, I was not aware of the scope of those problems.
As I look back at my time at Dickinson, I am filled with pride, a sense of accomplishment and even occasional homesickness for the limestone walls that were my home for four years. I can speak for the students during the years of 1994-1998 by saying that there were some very outstanding, bright, intelligent young adults who excelled in many areas and there were many leaders among us as well. Its hard not to be a little offended when you read that you and your classmates are seen as being essentially un-worthy of Dickinson's past and current high standards.
I made wonderful friends, many of whom I still keep in touch with now, through my years at Dickinson and I can honestly say that they all embodied the standards that Dickinson now and has always held for its students.
We accomplished a great deal as students, have accomplished a great deal since graduating, and have a great deal more to accomplish in our lives. A lot of that can be owed to what we learned and experienced at Dickinson and I think that anyone who was there during the early to late 90's can attest to that.
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa A. Capone
Class of 1998
Name: Maya Winoker, current sophomore
Date: Wed Aug 27 2003—17:24
Message:
I find it interesting that I am the first current student to post. While I have found everyone on campus encouraging the students (as well as others) to learn more about the history of Dickinson. There were many great details about the college that I learned from reading this article. I have to say that President Durden and Dr. Massa are definately doing a great job of getting the name of the college out there. When I first decided to attend Dickinson, everyone I had spoken to had never heard of the school and had never even heard of Harrisburg! (Which is pathetic since Harrisburg is the capital of PA) This summer, I have encountered more people who have heard of Dickinson and even know that it is located in Carlisle. So I just want to say to Dr. Massa and President Durden as well as everyone else, keep up what you have been doing because without you, I wouldn't have Dickinson to attend and to help shape my life.
Name: Kurt A. Scheib, Class of '98
Date: Thu Aug 28 2003—00:24
Message:
Surprisingly, this is the first message from a member of the faculty dubbed "Simpson's cohort," which according to Kirp's book, is receding into history. The tone of the article—whether true or not—makes it seem as if the College is all to happy to see our recession and regard my "cohort" as a blemish in Dickinson's history. Interestingly, this does not seem to be the case when the fund-raising solicitations are sent. In defense of the "Simpson's cohort," regardless of what our average SAT scores were, I am sure that our accomplishments, at Dickinson and beyond, rival those of any other cohort. I would also postulate that the problems that manifested themselves while we were Dickinsonians were long in the making. While we acknowledge our share of the problem, to pin all of Dickinson's ills on our cohort is unfair. We too were concerned with the "dumbing of Dickinson" while we were students. Rather than labeling our cohort as the problem,
as Kirp does (and apparently as do many of the faculty and administration), the eternal optimist in me prefers to take pride in the fact that it was our cohort that was the great catalyst for all of the encouraging changes at Dickinson! As a member of the All-College Committe on Admissions and Financial Aid, I remember the approval of the joint law program with Dickinson Law, Teachers for Tomorrow, the implementation of the IB&M major, and the debate over "merit" financial aid. These initiatives were the fruits of the "Simpson's cohort." Perhaps it was our "inferiority" that was the impetus Dickinson needed to step out of its collective comfort zone?
On a more personal note, although I am grateful for the strides that the College made since my departure, I am concerned about the trajectory of the student body's demographic make-up in light of these changes. Is Dickinson becoming a more "elitist" school (in the pejorative sense)?
I have a feeling that by today's admissions and financial aid criteria, I would not have been accepted to Dickinson. I say this not because I am a member of the inferior "Simpson's cohort," but because I was a first generation college student who needed thousands of dollars in need-based financial aid in order to attend. With the new admissions policies and strategic direction of the College, these factors may have made my application less desireable, or not desireable at all. My bit of advice is, therefore, to be aware that the admissions process should be keen on "reflecting America" not only in racial compostition, but also socio-economically and ethnically.
Name: Bill Durden, President
Date: Thu Aug 28 2003—07:48
Message:
I find this "Weigh-In" always to be quite healthy and a good forum to work out various perspectives in detail and with sufficient logic.
I'd like to repond to the good thoughts of alum Kurt Scheib above. Kurt, I pass on to you words that I wrote yesterday to a classmate of yours, I believe.
They express the position of the College: "Thank you for your most direct response on the "Weigh-In to David Kirp's article.
Your perspective on this aspect of Kirp's article (many other parts were indeed on target as you also state) is absolutely shared by me and all my colleagues. Thank you for expressing it so eloquently.
I can't tell you as a Dickinsonian myself how annoyed I was by Dr. Kirp's sweeping generalizations about the quality of Dickinson classes in the late 90s. As I said in my introduction to the article, Kirp appears to measure quality ONLY by data that is accepted for USNEWS rankings.
We all know the problems with conclusions about actual quality, achievement, productivity, contribution made from such data rather than looking squarely at the various talents of an individual and what those individuals have made of that talent...And Dickinson is a college that doesn't even require the SAT! What would Kirp do with our first almost 200 years of history—then we required no SATS (wasn't even invented)[and little else that was empirical!]...Were all our graduates of those years "Simpson-like"—a president of the US, a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, countless contributors to society? Please!!! And you—as well as I and all Dickinson alums—received a most outstanding education while here and
we are all acting positively upon that education. Again, I thank you and tell you unequivocally that I am extremely proud of all alums—ALL alums—for their completion of a Dickinson education and subsequent achievement. The more Dickinson excels now and into the future, the more all our degrees will rise in respect, esteem and value. This is the task ahead." I also expressed more concisely this disposition in my introduction to the original mailing of the Kirp article. I not exactly sure, Kurt, how you conclude and state unequivocally from Kirp's piece that "many" faculty and the administration have a negative disposition towards the classes of the late 90s. Kirp cites several faculty who express frustration in certain aspects of
instruction (of course, academic freedom is appropriately in place and faculty have the right to express their individual opinions) and then moves himself from there to broader commentary—his privilege also in such a journalistic piece. I again refer you to my comments above for what is in fact the institutional disposition.
I am also very appreciative of your good comments concerning your fears that Dickinson is becoming "elitist" (on the basis of accessibility) seemingly based on Kirp's writing. You appear to base that in part on Kirp's assertion that a decade or so ago Dickinson has 22% of its population first generation and now it stands at 12%. Kirp is correct, but the negative, comprehensive conclusion you draw is a bit
premature since Kirp doesn't immediately link this statistic (and give import to the 12% in higher education today) with another observation about Dickinson today placed in his article further on. Firstly, 12% is still a very high percentage of first-generation students for any national liberal arts college. Secondly, Dickinson was also concerned a few years ago about increasing significantly the diversity of the campus beyond first-generation (there was not tremendous diversity of other type in this group years ago, of course—and I was first-generation in '67-'71, by the way). Our students were demanding such diversity also (This has has been the case with generations of Dickinson students—including yours)—kudos to
them—kudos to you— outstanding students whom we wish to attract of whatever race or perspecitve want to learn in a highly diverse atmosphere—and we all felt that such additional diversity was appropriate to achieve on all grounds, to include enhancement of the learning environment for all Dickinsonians. When you were here, the percentage of students of color was extremely low—3% or 4%. Today that percentage in incoming classes is climbing over 11%-12% (the percentage of international students is also steadily rising). What Kirp does not indicate explicitly—but he does provide the data, in part, for a discerning reader to conclude—is that Dickinson is actually far more diverse than it was just a
few years ago and far more than in its entire history. Additionally, the average family income of current Dickinson students is actually LOWER than that of the Penn State main campus! I also refer you to Dr. Massa's comments above indicating that at a 60% financial aid dispositon, Dickinson today is way, way ahead of most comparable colleges and univeristies in actual commitment of percentage of funds devoted to such critical assistance—most are at 25%-40%. Our 80% figure a few years ago was indeed financially unsustainable and if pursued further might have caused such financial damage to the College that its very existence would be in question. I simply add this data and analysis to give context to the Kirp article.
I greatly respect your concern that Dickinson not be inaccessible to deserving students. We, today, are very much about the task of translating such healthy concern into actual action that provides an engaging learning environment and at once, advances a financially viable college for the present and, as importantly, for generations ahead. Again, thank you, and all the best. Bill
Name: Bill Durden, President, alum '71
Date: Thu Aug 28 2003—08:54
Message:
Just some new data in for consideration...The percentage of first-generation students is 14%, I understand, at this point...up from a year ago when Dr. Kirp was here. Merci. Bill
Name: Tim Dann, Alumnus, 1981
Date: Thu Aug 28 2003—11:44
Message:
It is a wonderful thing when a talented team finds itself matched with talented coaching and starts winning games! Those of us who are Dickinson fans are thrilled to see that the seeds sown so strategically in the last few years are beginning to bear bountiful fruit. And to critical public acclaim no less! Wow! A true American success story.
And Americans love success stories. Americans also prefer that their stories not be too terribly complex. There should be a good guy and a bad guy—or at the very least a seemingly insurmountable obstacle—who are engaged in battle. The characters should be kept to a minimum, and there should be a direct and relatively immediate linkage between their actions and the concomitant outcomes. Random events are too messy to contend with, and rub our monotheistic sensibility the wrong way. In the end, through perseverance and sheer goodness, the man in the white hat shall always prevail.
Kirp's article reflects our culture's predilections in its storytelling. (He is, after all, understandably and reasonably interested in selling the story he believes needs to be told.) As such it's a good bet that after all his research he has necessarily distilled out a great deal of complexity. True good guys have no doubt been left out of his tale. How about Dickinson's dedicated teaching faculty for one? (See Professor Weissman's commentary above.) And some good guys have been turned into bad for narrative convenience. (Will alumni from the mid-90's ever again calmly click "submit message" knowing it hasn't been spellchecked?) And some drama has been left out. Specifically, randomness has been relegated to an irrelevant role. The Dickinson community is fortunate that, in this case, good planning and good execution are yielding good results. Too often good teams lose games due to "bad breaks" which are beyond their control.
So read Kirp's article as a (generally) happy story, and revel in the success Dickinson is enjoying. And do what you can to further that success!
To that end I have two challenges. First, what does it mean to embrace the liberal arts as an institutional strategy in an increasingly complex and specialized world? As a student I was suspicious of Dickinson's liberal arts pride as an historic convenience; a veiled way of saying "we don't offer that course here." How do we make whatever it is we mean by "liberal arts" and Dickinson's embrace of it immediately understood and patently sensible? Second, how do we go about effectively broadening the parochial nature of student social life in Carlisle? As a fraternity member myself, I well understand the restorative role a good shindig can play.
But my own experience suggests it was far too often perceived as the sole option. And conversations I've had with current students suggest that this is still a limiting feature of the Dickinson social landscape.
Name: Catherine Matlack, Alumnae 1987
Date: Thu Aug 28 2003—13:27
Message:
While I enjoyed learning about the changing business climate at my alma mater, I finally learned about the logo change. As an alumnae who majored in history and political science while at Dickinson, I loved the logo and Latin motto. It is a sad statement to note that the "history" of the logo noting piety, learning and FREEDOM would not be appreciated by today's students. Freedom should never be considered out of style. The rich history of the college was very attractive to me. I am proud to be a Dickinson alumnae. My degree has the old logo. So do many of my souvenirs. The new Moravian Star logo means nothing to me. When I see the new logo on publications, it symbolizes a loss of identity. Dickinson has been around since the eighteenth century. It is okay if the logo represents this era. We should be proud of this heritage, not concerned that it may offend a modern-day student or potential student.
Name: John S Ransom, Assoc Prof Polsci
Date: Thu Aug 28 2003—21:06
Message:
There's no question of criticizing or "devaluing" students who attended Dickinson in the 1990s. I taught here during that period and I know full well the high quality of the students I worked with. From the perspective of the instructor, ballooning acceptance rates—and the lack of selectivity it implies—means that the mix of students is a bit different. There's *always* sharp, intelligent people, and no class is "all A students" or "all C- students." There was never any lack of excellent students, and the faculty didn't stop being good at what they do during those years. Result: there is no difference in the quality of education of alumni from the 90s and those attending now, or before. It's a complete nonissue. Who can deny, too, that sometimes "lowered standards" ends up bringing in exciting students
with capacities that don't show up in the measures provided by so-called high standards? The problem was not "bad students." Rather, this was a purely institutional issue: we had to reduce the acceptance rate in response to market forces.—John Ransom
Name: Bill Durden, President and alum '71
Date: Thu Aug 28 2003—21:43
Message:
I'm delighted that Catherine Matlock brought up again the issue of the seal. She seems to be under the impression that the seal is no longer used and that it has been discontinued for PC reasons with no respect for history. She seems to be believing all that is in print—all that is presented by Kirp. In fact, the seal is still in use and in the way intended by our founders—not those who followed years later to misuse it commercially on trinkets or as identifiers on dumptrucks, garbage cans, etc. I quote DIRECTLY for the original College charter—an Act of September 9, 1783: "That the trustees shall cause to be made for their use one common seal with such devices and inscriptions thereon as they shall think proper, under and by which all deeds, diplomas, certificates and acts of said corporation shall pass and be authenticated,
and the same seal, at their pleasure, to break and devise a new one.[ note that they even said that the seal could be changed by later generations—which we have not done—although it was slightly changed twice in our history—once adding 1783 as the founding date and then in 1940 adding 1773 as a revised founding date]" This is indeed our true history and it indicates very specifically how this seal is to be used. We now use it exactly in that way—as our history and founders desired. The logo—the compass rose—is merely a clearly designed mark—it is not the seal!—for forwarding the College's identification in a media-focused world. You must be able to read clearly "Dickinson College" from a distance and the logo accomplishes this well. Again, as I suggested in my introduction, all public texts deserve careful reading and thoughtful investigation. Dr. Kirp does not capture the reason I and the administration of the College chose
to restrict more fully the use of the seal—that is, to honor completely the desires of our founders. I have no problem whatsoever with the Latin words nor the images on the seal (Our consultant might have, but his take was not my take) and they are still in use—but on diplomas, official documents, etc,—as our founders intended. The mark is not replacing all places where the seal was originally. It is true that we are replacing the seal with the logo on vans and dumptrucks—it is inappropriate to have our prized, distinguished seal on such objects. Kirp claims that the logo is also now on trays. This is false. The new trays that we order have nothing on them—as it should be (you will remember that the old trays had the seal on them—again, such mundane use was never intended by the founders). History is finally again being honored after decades, not defiled as claimed. In fact, the seal is dramatically visible on campus.
A large bronze image of the seal—a terrific gift of the class of 1959 several years ago—as been moved to a very prominent place on campus where all students are reminded of it daily and where a history of it is soon to be placed in proximity so that all generations from now forward know the real history of Dickinson and the purposes to which one of our most sacred objects is to be engaged. I hope that this exposition is helpful. All the best. Bill
Name: An-oni-Mouse, Sophomore Student
Date: Fri Aug 29 2003—07:25
Message:
That spelling is for our english-loving President, Bill :-P . I am the Second student to post. This is a great article and I am very proud of the school I go to and the presedent who is leading it. I believe this noble institution is going in the right direction and is a great college to be in. I never would have guessed that certain faculty was upset until I read this. It upsets me that these striding changes are causing turmoil, but I am glad to see the bad tempers quelled.
I have a great confidence in Dickinson and I love it very much. The teachers are amazing as are the facilities (and food). Throughout all of the colleges I have visited, either to be a prospective student or to visit a friend or two, each makes me more and more glad I came to Dickinson. Thank you, everyone who makes Dickinson what it is.
Mouse '06
Name: Catherine Matlack, Alum 1987
Date: Fri Aug 29 2003—09:27
Message:
Thank you President Durden for the information about the seal. I think the confusion would have been mitigated if something explaining the change had been sent out to the Dickinson "community." I do not recall ever seeing anything about this. Each time I receive a mailing from Dickinson, I see the "rose" and wonder what happened. On another note, I was pleased to learn that your administration has made great strides with improving the college. I graduated before A. Lee Fritschler became president. The article held some surprises for me. I was unaware that there was dissension among the faculty in the 1990s. I am shocked that professors were attributed with saying the college had to "dumb down" its course work for the students in the 1990s. Alumni from that decade should be outraged at this characterization. Again, I understand from your message that this author took some liberties in how he represented our college. I'm glad to hear things are better.
Name: Wil Scott, Class of 1972, parent of 2002 grad
Date: Fri Aug 29 2003—10:19
Message:
I agree with Robin's comments. The article was fair and comprehensive, pointing out the accomplishments of the new administration and the work remaining to be done.
As an alumni cohort of Bill Durden I heartily applaud what he has done. I, too, felt the college had always deserved greater recognition, and that it was slipping due to a failure of leadership. Bill's team is providing that leadership, making our history and strengths known and preparing for the future. During my son's four years I saw firsthand many of the beneficial changes.
Bill, keep up the good work.
Name: Brian wolfinger, Parent
Date: Fri Aug 29 2003—10:57
Message:
I'm the parent of a current Dickinson freshmen. Both she and I were unfamiliar with Dickinson as well as its history until we made a campus visit. One aspect of this visit was the opportunity to hear President Durden speak. There was passion in his voice and the words "engage the world" rang clear. My daughter and I both left campus with interest peaked and the desire to learn more. We did and she's now part of the Dickinson community. This is in great part due to President Durden and his staff. Thanks to all and keep moving forward.
Name: Adam, Class of '00
Date: Fri Aug 29 2003—11:59
Message:
Dear President Durden:
I write not so much to critique what in my view was a very positive article written about the change and progress being made at Dickinson, but to offer a simple congratulations.
Indeed, starting my freshman year in the late summer of 1996, Dickinson was a different place. Stuffy, old and pretty much stagnant, like the smell of a rarely visited part of the old library, would be the best way to describe the air that had settled over the campus. I view it like a teenager with no direction, simply floating along day-to-day looking to simply survive and not thrive. I can remember that all changing with an explosion.
Being woken up from the rumble of dynamite breaking up the rock across the street from Morgan Hall was more of a wake up call to the College. The new library that would be built served as model for the way the College was to be viewed; modern, sleek and forward thinking.
However, without determined leadership and skillful diplomacy, the momentum produced from the completion of the library would be lost. Fortunately for all of the alumni, you and others managed to seize the day. The remarkable progress that was made in my last 3 years of Dickinson during your administration was astonishing. It was real progress, real change.
Not only was the campus getting a much needed face lift, but the incoming freshman were improving too. I feel I was lucky to have "snuck" in to Dickinson during a low period of admissions. Being honest about myself, I am pretty sure I would not have a shot to be admitted today having the record that I did. That being said, its actually a good thing to say. That's what I would want. I now feel privileged to be a part of such a quality school and hope to add value by contributing what I can to the College going forward.
Looking back to see how the College was my freshman year, and how the College is now, blows my mind. Progress has been made and change always seems possible and acceptable on campus and in the administration. The results of this speak for themselves, Dickinson is simply a better institution.
I honestly believe that without your focus and determination, Dickinson would still be that drifting teenager.
I would like to offer my congratulations on a job well done.
Name: Shane Ebersole, Current Sophomore
Date: Fri Aug 29 2003—16:28
Message:
I would first like to begin by saying that seeing Dickinson getting such praise in the media is refreshing after going through a period of time where, after informing others of my attendance at Dickinson, the response I received either involved the law school down the street or a blank stare. I will be the first to admit that good publicity is healthy for a school; however, after reading the article, I could not help but feel like the article itself more resembled a brochure for attending Dickinson College than a scholarly analysis.
I am sure many of you, during your searches for a school, received a brochure or packet from a school that sparked an interest in a college or university, only to visit the school and find that the brochure failed to mention the many flaws of the school, dissipating the interest. Do not get me wrong, I am not saying flaws run rampant in Dickinson—I
spent a lot of time looking at various schools, and still have decided to attend here. I have no doubt in my mind that the article has accurately depicted all aspects it covered.
Students are already constantly encountering biased critiques of schools, and many students are trying to look beyond the "Pick my school" or "Don't pick that school!" essays. The "Change" article seems to fit the former category in many ways. Yes, the publicity was certainly informative, but I feel it would have benefited much more if there was *SOME* sort of criticism on the current state of the school as well. The article did a wonderful job of citing problems with the school before Durden took charge, but left out criticism of the *current* state of Dickinson. There is no doubt in my mind that Durden is taking Dickinson to greater places than it has seen in the past few decades, but as all humans,
he is not perfect, and I am sure that there is SOMETHING that could have been critiqued.
Bill Durden has done wonderful things for this school - there is no doubt about that. I agree with Durden that, as he stated in his introduction, scrutiny is very healthy for a school. I simply wish the scrutiny had harped more on the current state of Dickinson instead of what is in the past.
Name: Arthur Litoff, Alumnus (1967)
Date: Sat Aug 30 2003—12:09
Message:
Ahem.... Would it be possible to add a search feature to this discussion? I'd kind of, sort of like to post something, but I don't want to duplicate others' comments. There are some damn long posts in this discussion, and I'm not going to read them all. Or is that just I ?
Name: Tim Dann, Alumnus, '81
Date: Sun Aug 31 2003—09:25
Message:
Arthur;
You can use your browser's search capability. In Microsoft's I.E. it is found under the "Edit" heading ("Find in page").
Name: Arthur Litoff , Alumnus (1967)
Date: Sun Aug 31 2003—10:07
Message:
To Tim Dann: Thank you very much. My computer savvy-ness is abyssmal.
Adam, 2000, posted above that the new library was being build in 1996(?), and refers to the "old library". Wasn't the Boyd-Spahr Library opened before 1996. D'son wasn't still using the Bosler Library at that late date, was it?
BTW, if anyone from pre- Boyd-Spahr wants the nostalgia of the look and smell of the old Bosler Library, go a few miles down the road to Wilson College in Chambersburg. Theirs must have been contemporary with Bosler. And, BTW, Wilson must be one of those liberal arts schools teetering on "attrition". It was all-female.
Name: Bill Durden, President and alum, '71
Date: Sun Aug 31 2003—12:30
Message:
Arthur, I'll try to answer your good question. The Bosler Library (currently called Bosler Hall and dedicated primarily to modern languages—check out, by the way, the new language lab—quite state of the art) morphed into the then-new Spahr Library in 1968 or so (I remember helping carry the books with everyone else from the Bosler to the Spahr). I believe, that the new construction (begun in 1996; completed in 1998) spoken about in the previous e-mail was in reference to the addition to the Spahr Library. That section was/is called the Waidner Library and now the whole "connected" structure is simply called the Waidner-Spahr Library of Dickinson College. A little confusing, to be sure—one library (Spahr Library) + one library (Waidner Library)= one library (Waidner-Spahr Library)! Nevertheless, it works for Dickinson and as you know,is now a spectacular library! Does that help you in any way? All the best. Bill
Name: Sabine Broeck, Vice-President for International Relations of University of Bremen (longtime international partner institution) and "fan" of Dickinson College
Date: Sun Aug 31 2003—15:33
Message:
Dear Bill, thanks for calling the Kirp article to my attention. While I am in no position to judge accuracy or reliablity of Kirps information and argument, particularly the parts about bygone times, it makes me happy to see somebody acknowledge before a wide and varied audience the outstanding quality of your institution. Speaking from my position at a German large public university that has made comparable strides in the past decade to achieve a publicly and academically visible profile of excellence in the natural and engineering sciences and that at present struggles mightily to develop a similarly intriguing profile for its humanities—to create "buzz for liberal arts" in your words—I have been inspired by the Dickinson example ever since I set first foot on your campus. Even though the conditions are parameters are mostly entirely different between
German public universities and a college like Dickinson I have been and am inspired by your self-confidence in the "value" of an humanities education and intrigued by the Dickinson community's ability to not be defensive about "being in liberal arts" at all, but rather make it their purpose in life in an encouraging and defining manner. This becomes particularly attractive in Dickinson's international context of which we are proud to be one part. Dickinson has insisted—in the face of disencouraging controversies as to the necessity for and benefits of higher education in an internationalized context—on the truth that there are many faces to globalization (most of them not visible in the daily media rage) and that the humanities should make it their "mission" to examine, depict and discourse about them, so that they will not be lost to the public altogether. Keep up the good work, we salute you. Sabine. PS: Smile—hope I made it without a typo.
Name: Matthew Pohl, friend
Date: Sun Aug 31 2003—22:17
Message:
I have no doubt that Dickinson will continue to receive the visibility it deserves. I've always admired the energy of its leaders, and Kirp's article successfully frames that energy from within the context of Dickinson's history.
However, I do have a few points of contention. The U.S. News and World Report rankings are given far too much stock from within the article, and President Durden's desire to advance Dickinson into the "top 20" seems to endorse this. As each year passes, I am increasingly troubled by the lurid obsession with rankings that parents and their children have when seeking the right college or university. In effect, rankings reflect statistics that will have little to no impact on the overall academic experience. Yet, the rise and fall of schools from their numerical perches leads readers to erroneously believe that the overall quality of an institution can change dramatically in a year's time. Ideally, perspective students should make their own "rankings" when
comparing colleges and universities upon visiting. When visits are not possible, perspective students should be able to contact faculty and students at institutions of interest for a long-distance feel. As a last resort, the Princeton Review offers survey results online, but even those don't tell the whole story and are up for interpretation. If Dickinson's ranking improves indirectly as a result of its efforts to bolster alumni giving and the flawed reputation score, then so be it. U.S. News is a fifth-rate magazine, and the rankings are its biggest draw. Dickinson should stay on track by continuing to offer world-class academics, stepping aside from the feeding frenzy and temptation of rankings. Good students will come regardless of what higher ranked schools offered them admission. I know because I did!
Dickinson is one of a handful of competitive institutions that has a total SAT optional policy. Unlike Connecticut College, which mandates three SAT IIs in lieu of the SAT I,
Dickinson says that applicants may submit no scores (unless a merit scholarship is involved). While I agree that one SAT I test taken in three hours cannot always reflect four solid years of academic work in high school, the SAT II tests are focused enough to provide insights into the strength of applicants in certain areas. For instance, the SAT II Writing test measures written aptitude in sentence construction and essay writing. I would argue that these skills are vital preparation for any liberal arts education.
However, I am also aware that SAT I scores have actually risen despite the policy of optional standardized testing. My question is this: Would it be useful if Dickinson could measure all of its applicants in a national pool that standardized testing, even in subjects, creates? Also, I would appreciate hearing more about what people think of the Connecticut College model.
Otherwise, the article gave a fascinating portrayal of how far Dickinson has come.
I hope that every student there reads it.
Name: Someone who probably speaks for others, Faculty
Date: Mon Sep 1 2003—04:49
Message:
I think Jo Brown owes George Allan an apology for what she is quoted as saying about him in this article. Since she didn't arrive until after he retired, her comments are hearsay or fantasy. It's important that the current administration not promote the good things that they are doing by demeaning the important contributions of hardworking people who came before them. George Allan is a wonderful man who has been supportive of Dickinson for decades. As dean, he respected and valued the faculty in an even-handed way that is remembered fondly by many of us.
Name: JoAnne Brown, Associate Dean of the College
Date: Mon Sep 1 2003—15:16
Message:
With regard to recent communications about David Kirp's article in Change Magazine, Dean George Allan has, with familiar grace, wit, and understanding, warmly accepted the personal apology that I had sent to him on August 28.
In my message I reiterated what I had affirmed in personal conversation with George Allan and others over the years, and noted three years ago in the interview for the Change article: frank admiration for the Dean's wisdom, intellectual rigor, and creativity, all of which are evident in the College's outstanding academic programs.
As framed, the article does not fully reflect my views at the time of the interviews three years ago, nor at present.
The utter necessity of faculty members' having taken on enormous administrative burdens during the 1990s was not (as the article seems to imply) of Dean Allan's making, and was in fact one of the worthy sacrifices that kept the College moving forward during this period.
This commitment, more than any other tangible resource, is at the core of Dickinson's current accomplishments; without it, as we all appreciate, even the most skilled leadership would have little purchase.
With all best wishes for the start of the new school year,
JoAnne Brown
Associate Dean of the College
Name: Bill Durden, President and alum '71
Date: Mon Sep 1 2003—17:43
Message:
Matt, good to hear from you. I trust that all is going well at Tufts for you. Let me address one issue in your good commentary—that is, the words attributed to me by the author at the conclusion of the article. As I remember our exchange almost three years ago now (and it was awhile ago, to be sure), I was asked where I thought Dickinson should be considered—where I would ultimately like it to be considered—with regard to reputation as an institution. Rather than answer immediately with "top 20 on USNEWS or above"—I remember rather saying something to the effect—as I always respond when asked this question— "I'd like to see it considered in the same context as Middlebury, Bowdoin, Bates, Colby, Macalster, etc.—the same sphere of accomplishment" Then I may have been asked by Dr. Kirp, "Where does that compute on the USNEWS rankings?" And I probably answered, "I guess that would be top-twenty or above
if you accounted for where those institutions happen to be ranked." So the author is indeed correct in what he has included in the article, but that statement was not the only one made in response to the good question from Dr. Kirp and it was not, according to my recollection, the first answer nor the preferred one.It never has been and is not for me or anyone around Dickinson the obsession—the focus on USNEWS exclusively as an organizational ambition— that the sentence in Kirp makes it appear to be. We will most likely rise in the rankings as our students, faculty and alumni continue to achieve at high degrees and the College increases dramatically its financial resources—as is happening rapidly. I only bring up this minor point to reemphasize—I mentioned the following in my introduction to the CHANGE piece on the web— that one should not jump to immediate, unexamined conclusions about anything in print and
immediately build a thesis upon it.Usually there is much more going on that is unsaid (ask the person quoted first) and that can put another face on what is drawn only from what is before you. All the best.I liked your logic.
Name: Matthew Pohl, Friend
Date: Mon Sep 1 2003—20:33
Message:
Hi President Durden,
Thank you for responding. I made an early conclusion about the rankings statement because I was specifically seeking an explanation from you. The importance of rankings are not understated by Kirp, and it may be easy for readers to assign a disproportionate amount of priority to something you view as a mere reflection of Dickinson's growth. I could have taken this fact at face value by simply reading the article and not posting about it. The fact remains that most people don't bother to "inquire within," especially when it comes to scrutinizing the media. Therefore, I'm pleased that you clarified your position on the matter through this open forum.
Tufts is what it is, but it cannot replace the intense personal growth I experienced at Dickinson under the support of various students, faculty, and administrators. For that, I am always thankful.
Name: Arthur Litoff, Alumnus (1967)
Date: Mon Sep 1 2003—20:50
Message:
1. Look, I don't care— personally. But I notice that one of the rules of posting on this forum is "Anonymous....postings may be deleted". OK, it says "may". But the above post by "someone who speaks for others" isn't a real name, as rules require. I do feel a bit of pique, take umbrage, experience mild annoyance, and generally get Pissed Off when organizations don't enforce their own rules. This is my "shot across the bow".
Later we'll move on to more serious rules set down by Dickinson and, maybe, the nation which are not, or selectively, enforced.
2. Speaking of showing off one's vocabulary, I ask Bob Massa to explain "wordmark" which he used in an Aug 27 post. It's not in my 1987 dictionary. Where in the Waidner-Boyd-Spahr Library would I find that word, should I endeavor to look it up.
3. About the attrition of liberal arts colleges, mentioned in the Kirp article, I don't D'son is seeing the "ghost of Marley" in that. I'd bet those 27 which closed in the year cited were particularly weak for a long time, in sparsely populated areas, or had some truly disastrous leadership, like Adelphia University. (Is Adelphi still open?) Others, like Wilson, almost closed, and even the mighty Hood—Frederick, MD—has gone co-ed.
Well, it's the old story of Watch out what you wish for. The feminist revolution wanted in to the big-name male college (Yale, Harvard, Lehigh), and the women's colleges have suffered. I wonder whether their administrators foresaw this when the Fem. Rev. began.
4. When you hire a consultant, he/she is going to recommend something(s) as he/she picks up his/her check. So D'son's consultant thought applicants were put off by a Latin motto? We paid for that? Hogwash! Do we really want people who would be pushed over the line because a schoo has a Latin motto? That's not the VERITAS. It's not even the LUX ET VERITAS. My middle son went to Clarkson U., which has a really goofy motto (English), altho it might have been right on the mark when that college was founded. To wit, "That the Working Man Need Not Be Ashamed".
Sort of apologizing even before you get started, isn't it? Nevertheless, Gideon majored in mathematics—not an easy or common major, and is pulling down big bucks today. It the course offerings and the quality of teaching, Jack, not the language of the motto that makes a school a leader.
DUM SPECS EST, VITA EST...... which means "It's herring, stupid. Put on your glasses!"
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