Voces Clamantium: Laskaris, McBride
By
Published on Monday, February 25, 2013
Dimensions: A Welcome to Dartmouth
To the Editor:
In light of last Friday’s article (“Dimensions show to be canceled,” Feb. 22) regarding the Dimensions welcome show, I would like to provide clarifying details concerning the changes we are considering. Most importantly, I would like to be clear that we are not canceling the Dimensions welcome show. We are disappointed that the headline and article in the paper left readers with that impression and that the article also misrepresented new programming that is being added to the schedule.
We in admissions have always embraced the enthusiasm of the welcome show. The light-hearted, student-driven energy it radiates is a unique facet of Dartmouth that we want to highlight. However, Leede Arena is a challenging venue because of acoustics and other technical and logistical issues. With all this in mind, we have asked student leaders to develop ideas for the Dimensions welcome show in another space and to share those ideas with us.
Our goal during Dimensions is threefold: to welcome prospective students to Dartmouth, to showcase the depth and breadth of the opportunities available at Dartmouth and to highlight the unique strength and character of the Dartmouth community.
Dimensions has always been and continues to be a successful program. The welcome show is only one of the many ways for Dartmouth students to demonstrate their love of the College and their eagerness to share that with our admitted students and their families. Each year during Dimensions we rely on hundreds of student hosts to make prospective students feel secure, welcome and at home during their stay. All of our events are designed to allow for meaningful connections between current students and prospective students. And we know that informally, every interaction that we have with our visiting students, no matter how small, is significant — whether it is helping a lost student find his or her way, inviting a student to attend a class or share a meal with you or sitting on the Green with a group of prospective students on a beautiful spring afternoon. Such genuine, individual actions by you, our current students, and your love for Dartmouth, differentiate us and make admitted students feel welcomed into our family.
Maria Laskaris Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
An Elaborate Hoax
To the Editor:
I fear my alma mater must have been the subject of an elaborate hoax. I have recently received two mailings and several emails urging me to vote for the alumni-nominated trustee and the Association of Alumni Executive Committee. Indeed, the most recent email points out the urgency of voting, as there are “only three weeks left. Have we heard from you?” Today, I logged on to vote at the purported Dartmouth alumni election site and was shocked to discover that each election had only one candidate. Absolutely no choice on any position — how could this be? While some might believe that the alumni council, and perhaps in the background the administration, seek to assure a hand-picked group, I can’t believe this is true. Sure, in the past some councilors were elected even though they were not nominated by the traditional method, but Dartmouth wouldn’t go so far as to give us no option in voting just to make sure some vocal proponents of alternate viewpoints could not be elected. No, I believe this must be a hoax. Why would I be urged to vote in an election that can have only one outcome? An election where you either vote for the handpicked candidate or abstain! If that were an election that was actually taking place, each candidate is assured election provided each receives one vote, presumably able to be elected if each candidate casts a vote for him or herself. This has to be an attempt by some third-party hackers to steal my personal information. At least, I prefer to believe that over the thought that Dartmouth has swindled me out of a voice in the election.
Jack McBride ’90 Ottawa Hills, Ohio
“welcomed into our family” What a crock.
By Anon on Feb 25 | 2:18 am
“Leede Arena is a challenging venue because of acoustics and other technical and logistical issues.” Really? That is the only reason you give as to why you wanted the show moved? When are you going to realize that we can read through these petty excuses. You were shocked by the immense backlash to your incredibly ill-conceived proposal and now you are floundering around to try to find some way to backpedal on your ideas. Leede Arena has worked well for the past 10 years, and it certainly won’t be a problem again this year.
On a separate note, I wish these 2 opinion pieces has been published separately, as the second piece is an important issue that undergraduates often are unaware of. The cost of these elections is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly, just to “elect” 1 candidate with no real vote choice. That is a sham of democracy at best, and I hope the Administration realizes that the sentiments of Mr. McBride are held by a large number of his fellow alumni.
By Not Fooled on Feb 25 | 4:00 am
The show has only been held in Leede for the past 3 years. When it was first developed, Dimensions was smaller and the show fit in Collis Commonground. At Leede Arena, the acoustics are indeed incredibly challenging. Given that appreciating the show requires the audience to hear the lyrics and dialogue, this is clearly not optimal.
Not liking the administration does not make the acoustical realities any less true.
By The Facts on Feb 25 | 8:55 am
@Not Fooled: anyone who’s sat near the back at the dimensions show can tell you that the acoustics is absolutely a problem. Calm yourself.
By Brian Giunta on Feb 25 | 11:33 am
If “acoustics and other technical and logistical issues” were really the issue in all of this, which I don’t believe for a second, then students should have been told about this issue and invited to search for a better venue. Spaulding anyone?
This is all just back and fill post hoc justification by a scrambling bunch of incompetents.
By On and on and on Feb 25 | 11:40 am
I was set to sign on the dotted line to go to Dartmouth having been heavily recruited for lacrosse, but those acoustics changed my mind in a flash. Since then, I’ve realized that I made the right decision. Dartmouth was always second-tier, but now it’s trying too hard to be a player. Go back to what you did well.
By Harvard ‘14 on Feb 25 | 9:04 pm
“Acoustics and other technical and logistical issues.” This is the only reason? As if. If it were this simple, you would have said so in your initial announcement. This is some truly weak “leadership,” in the patronizing package that I’ve come to expect it from the carpetbaggers in Parkhurst. But not from an alum, Dean Laskaris. At least, not until now. You should be ashamed.
By D2013 on Feb 26 | 3:39 am
I would like to see contested elections also but I recognize that it is hard enough to find qualified and willing volunteers for the Association and Board to just discard half of them in a head to head election so I see why we put up an official slate.
Of course Mr. McBride is welcome to nominate additional candidates in future elections if he wants to see someone run against the official slate.
By Geoff on Mar 1 | 12:19 pm