Understand Then Criticize
By Richard Silverman
Published on Friday, January 26, 2007
To the Editor:
Congratulations to Stephen Smith '88 on his remarkable accomplishments, both during and since his tenure at Dartmouth. Based on his self-description, as well as the testimony of James Baehr '05 ("A Review of Character," Jan. 23), I would think that Smith would have the independence and integrity to take the time to understand how the Alumni Council Nominating Committee selects candidates for trustee, rather than to repeat in a letter to alumni the rhetoric describing a process carried out in consultation with the administration of the College. The committee works independently of the College, choosing candidates from a pool of over 300 names submitted by fellow alumni, and evaluated for personal and professional achievement, leadership ability, experience and connectedness to Dartmouth.
Petition candidates are encouraged to run if they do not feel that the slate holds a candidate who would provide adequate stewardship of the College as she goes forward to fulfill her mission of providing the best undergraduate education available. To detract from the Council nominees by making false claims about the method whereby they are chosen does not make Smith's candidacy any more legitimate, but rather brings to question the honesty and impeccable character that his supporters claim he brings to the race. Statements of candidates and their supporters should be looked at critically, and when the time comes for voting, alumni should understand the "approval method" and vote for all candidates whom they find to be qualified to serve as trustee. In this way, we can all best serve our alma mater.