Table Of Content

COLLEGE MAGAZINE VOLUME 65 NO. 1 WINTER 1991 A T U R E ‘Standing on the shoulders of giants’ 14 Timothy Light was inaugurated as the 14th president of Middlebury College on October 13, during a gala Homecoming Weekend. In his inaugural address, Presi dent Light paid his respects, and acknowledged his debt, to those who had come ERIK BORG '67 before him, and talked about the challenges facing higher education in general, and Middlebury in particular, during the 1990’s and beyond. Spirit & Nature 22 The Dalai Lama of Tibet and five other religious scholars came to Middlebury in September for a symposium, “Spirit and Nature: Religion, Ethics and Environmental Crisis.” The message they carried: Humanity will not deal effectively with the envi ronment until it is able to rediscover the sacred qualities of the natural world, and humanity’s proper place in that world. By Tim Etchells '74; photos hy Erik Borg '67. JACQUELINE BELDEN '91 Top photo: The Dalai Lama, D E P A R T M E N T S who was one of six religious scholars on hand for the Editor’s Note 1 Alumni NewsLetter 35 ‘Spirit and Nature’ confer ence. Bottom photo: The Letters 2 Families 36 inaugural parade during Homecoming Weekend. Around the Hill 6 The Schools 36 On the cover: The Dalai Lama and President Timothy Faculty Notes 11 Obituaries 68 Light head down the hill after the conference’s final event. Sports Update 12 Dispatches 72 Photo by Erik Borg ’67. MIddlebury College Magazine M O T S NOTE Editor, Tim Etchells ’74 • Associate Editor. Debby Hodge '60 • Class Notes Editor, Dotty McCarty • Photography Editor, Erik Borg '67 • Sports F'ditor, Max Petersen • Contributing Editors, Robert Peskin, Meghan Laslocky '90 and Dwight Gamer ’88 ♦ Production Consultant, Steve Melzler • Director of Public Affairs, Ron Nief • Editorial office (address correspondence): Farrell House, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753. • Diverse views are presented and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the official policies of Middlebury College. Middlebury College of Middlebury, Vt., 05753, publishes the Middlebury College Magazine (ISSN- 0745-2454) four times a year: Winter, Spring, Summer P robably no issue has divided the Col males that would be involved in meeting those and Autumn. © 1991, Middlebury College Publications. lege community over the past few guidelines — apparently oblivious to the irony The Middlebury College Magazine is printed at years in quite the same way as the of such statements. Dartmouth Printing in Hanover, N.H. Second-class postage paid at Middlebury, Vt., and at additional fraternity question. When, about a year ago, I belonged to a fraternity while at Middle mailing offices (USPS 964-820). POSTMASTER: Send the Task Force on Student Social Life submit bury, and enjoyed the experience. It’s worth address changes to Middlebury Magazine, Middlebury ted a report to the tru.stees that recommended noting, however, that back then, in the mid College. Middlebury, VT 05753-6120. abolishing the fraternities, the outcry from the 1970’s, many of the fraternities had quite a Middlebury College frat members on campus, and from alumni few women as social members; interestingly Timothy Light. President who had been fraternity members, was loud. enough, Chi Psi was one of the leaders in this Charter Trustees The trustees decided not to go along with respect. During most of the decade of the ’80s, Milton V. Peterson '58, Chairman, Fairfax, Va. • that recommendation, and instead gave the this was not the case. Indeed, when the trus Patricia Judah Palmer ’57. Vice Chairman, Wellesley fraternities a chance to survive, and to remain tees made their decision last winter, only KDR Hills, Mass. • Allan R. Dragone '50. New York, N.Y. • C. Irving Meeker ’50. Portland, Maine ♦ Jonathan in their current homes, if they would make the had any women — two — as members. O'Herron, New York. N.Y. • W. Kyle Prescott '49, transition to coeducational “houses.” Right now, it appears that the consensus on Montreal, Quebec • Robert P. Youngman ’64, New Last spring, all six of Middlebury’s cur campus — at least among those who are not York, N.Y. rently active fraternities — DU, Chi Psi, Sig fraternity members — is that social and/or Term Trustees Ep, KDR, Zeta Psi and DKE — told the Com residential organizations that discriminate on Frederic W. Allen, Shelburne, Vt. ♦ Ronald H. Brown munity Council, which was to oversee this the basis of gender have outlived whatever le ’62. Washington, D.C. • Dort A. Cameron III '67, New York, N.Y. • Sister Elizabeth Candon, Burlington. Vt. • transition, that they would go along with the gitimacy they may have once had at the Col Susan Comstock Crampton. Jericho, Vt. ♦ James S. Davis trustees’ decision. And, indeed, four of the lege. (It’s worth remembering that Middle '66. Boston, Mass. • Catherine Rock Fallon '57. Weston, houses now have women as members, or at bury has been coeducational, and proud of it, Mass. • Claire Waterhou.se Gargalli '64, Pittsburgh, Pa. • Reuben Mark '60, New York, N.Y. • William E. Odom. least have a reasonable number of women in for 107 years.) What you hear on campus, Washington. D C. • David E. Thompson '49, Panton, Vt. their pledge classes. from students, faculty and staff, is that it’s in But two of the fraternities, Chi Psi and the best interests of the houses and the College Alumni Trustees Patricia Sherlock Davidson '59. Boston, Mass. • Peter R. DKE, still have no women members, no for everyone — recalcitrant students and dis Decker '57, Vice Chairman, Denver. Colo. • Albert H. women in their current pledge classes, no gruntled alumni — to stop whining, and get Elfner '66 • Churchill G. Franklin '71. Boston, Mass. • plans to admit women anytime soon, or to re with the program. Things have got to change. Judith Tichenor Fulkerson '56, Weston, Mass. • Jane Bryant Quinn '60, North Salem, N.Y. nounce their affiliations with resolutely all It’s my suspicion that, if given a chance, the male nationals. Chi Psi, according to its presi house system that eventually emerges from Directors of the Alumni Association dent. Rich Cochran ’91, plans to move off the deliberations now taking place on campus William H. Kieffer III '64, President Virginia Van Vranken '82, Vice President campus — if the College decides not to pro will be stronger, and more vital, than the fra Richard N. Crumb '69 and Susan Daniell Phillips '58. hibit students from belonging to off-campus ternity system it replaces. And, perhaps most Co-Chairs Annual Giving fraternities. Otherwise, he said, the fraternity importantly, a great deal fairer. Jane Abbott Barry '38, Tri-State Alumnae • Cynthia J. Bear '72, Career Counseling and Placement • Marilyn R. will go along with the trustees' mandate, Bruhn '47. Continuing Education • Thomas F. Calcagni DKE appears to hope that its unique status Correction: Ann Williams Jackson and her '78. Greater Burlington, Vt., Chapter • Joseph F. — it’s the only non-residential fraternity, and husband Charles Jackson, both ’74, had a Ferguson Jr. '61. Admissions • Lucy C. Garrity '83, Young Alumni • Andrew B. Gluck '85, Young Alumni • its house is owned by the DKE Alumni Asso daughter back in May. The good news was Frederick E. Greene '75. Midd-Vermoni Chapter • ciation, while the other houses are owned by reported in the class notes for the Autumn is Frances R. Hall '57, Nominating Committee • Karin the College — will somehow keep it exempt sue, under the class of ’38 (Emily Barclay Bloom Heffeman ’82. Class Secretaries • Thomas J. Knox '84. Washington. D.C., Chapter • Andrew T. from the trustees’ mandate. But at a meeting to Jackson. Charlie’s mother, is a member of that Mayer '81. Denver Chapter ♦ Susan McLaughlin McFadd di.scuss the fraternity issue (see page 9 for a class.) The ’38 secretaries had identified Char '62, Admissions • Pamela S. Nugent '81. Boston Chapter story on that meeting), Karl Lindholm ’67, lie’s wife only as “Ann.” Somewhere along • Mark A. Patinkin '74. Career Counseling & Placement • Susan P. Pevear '78, Athletics • Charles R. Rice '58, dean of students and chair of the committee the line, that was changed to “Anne Cady Communications • Pieter J. Schiller '60, Nominating that is working to restructure the "house” sys Jackson ’73,” whose mother. Marge Arnold Committee • Jeremy L. Smith '68. Athletics • Peter E. Steinle '62. Hartford Chapter • Robyn H. Stone '81. tem, said that his committee’s recommenda Cady, is also a member of the class of ’38. As Philadelphia Chapter • Doris Maurer Thompson '48. tion was that “DKE play by the same rules as it happens, Anne Cady Jackson is married not Nominating Committee • Gladys F. Waltemade '73. everyone else.” to Charlie but to his twin brother, Andrew Communications. At that meeting, it was disappointing to hear Jackson ’74. Anyway, our apologies to all in Ex officio: David W. Ginevan. Treasurer • Hugh W, Marlow '57, Director of Alumni Relations • Susan quite a few male fraternity members still talk volved for the mistake (which is all the more Veguez, Graduate Alumni • Susanne Shaw, Director of ing about the “unfairness” of the trustees’ de embarrassing, personally, because all of the Alumni Giving cision, and of the proposal from Lindholm’s Jacksons are good friends). Middlebury College complies with the 1964 Civil Rights committee that the frats, or “houses,” have So it goes. We must say, though, that per Act, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. women represent one-third of the total mem haps there should be a prohibition of some the 1RS Anti-Bias regulation, and Section .504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In so doing. Middlebury bership by the fall of 1992, and one-third of kind against twin brothers from the same class College does not discriminate against any individual on those living in each house by the fall of 1991. marrying women with the same first name the basis of race, color, sex, religion, ethnic origin, or And it was startling to hear the same frat who graduated from Middlebury a year apart. handicap in any of its programs or activities. members bemoan the “discrimination” against — Tim Etchells '74 WINTER 1991 The Middlebury College Mag column. family, relatives of our“trois,” who virtually on a par with Harvard and azine welcomes letters from read In retrospect, I could have, and will come to our defen.se in print, on other Ivy League schools. This is ers on the contents of the maga probably should have, been more these very pages. presented as typical of higher edu zine or on topics related to the sensitive to the significance of the It is of prime importance to our cation in general and of little con College. To he published, letters reference by my classmate to his psyche that our sexual preference cern. must be signed, and should be lover. Under the circumstances, I be made known especially since However, my concern is that addressed to: The Editor, Middle should have called my classmate to now it appears that Middlebury soon only the very privileged will bury College Magazine,W/Vion be certain of how he wanted the College is dead bent on changing be able to attend Middlebury ... House, Middlebury, VT 05753. news reported. 1 did not, I apolo our rather tried and true “College those with wealthy parents, and gize for the omission and I am sorry on the Hill” ambience to a more those who earn a scholarship. This for any hurt this cau.sed. cosmopolitan, urbane and compli is not an evil in and of itself, but it Don’t blame the College Mr. King writes that he expects cated institution ruled by ever in does lead one to ask how scholar for one person’s mistake more from Middlebury and intends creasing tiny conglomerates of dis ships are awarded, and how appli Editor: 1 am writing in response to to withhold financial support from tinctly minority opinions. The par cations are evaluated. It is my wish Victor King’s letter in the Summer the College. The Middlebury com allel to the ’60s when the students that Midd remains blind to race and issue and the subsequent letters in munity did not make this mistake, 1 ruled the campus is quite similar. religion. However, at the same time the Autumn issue of the magazine. did. It is unfair and inappropriate to And weren’t those grand times for I hope enough attention is given to I am late in responding because 1 penalize current or future students education! personal ability and financial need did not read the Summer issue until of the the College for my error. I If we all work real hard at chang so that neither the cost of tuition nor I saw the letters in the Autumn hope he will reconsider. ing Midd’s image, I bet we can the academic prowess of Midd’s magazine. Professor Cornwall also offers a become another Bennington, Sarah graduates suffer. I am writing for several reasons: blanket assessment of the Middle Lawrence or Vassar in no time. Daring to assume the administra • To accept responsibility for the bury community. I know many fine Here’s hoping. tion has its finances well in hand, Class Notes column in question, people in the community who We back fully the College’s de my attention turned to the basis for • To note that my co-secretary probably would have handled the sire to be what it is not and never selecting candidates for the fresh was not involved with the particu situation better than 1 did. 1 resent has been. We love it. We and the man class. In this regard, it both lar column, the aspersions cast on their charac birds. ered me when Ms. Daschbach com • To extend my apologies to my ter because of my perceived short We do not demand that our mented on social advantage of classmate for the omission, fall. choice of sexual partners be in applicants as rich, white and better • To express my regret for any It is easy to be angry, to criticize cluded in your “Marriages” col prepared. Being rich and white unintentional hurt the omission and to assign blame. It is harder to umn, but we do insist on a separate certainly has its advantages, and caused, openly and constructively discuss, listing to include all of us who have hopefully Midd’s admission poli • And to express my concern that debate and educate one another. I cho.sen an alternative lifestyle. And cies can remedy those circum an entire educational community is am hopeful that this unfortunate if we don’t get what we want by stances, but what is the implication being criticized because of the ac lapse will make us all more aware threats, we may just have to start a of the words “better prepared”? tions of one of its members. and sensitive to the needs and con club on campus. If we are to assume that social First and foremost, I apologize to cerns of all members of our com PAUL VAUGHN ’57 status creates higher board scores, my classmate for the omission. I munity. Van Nuys, Calif. then are we implying an academic meant no disrespect nor to ignore ROBERT C. LINDBERG ’77 double standard be used for evalu the importance of his relationship. Ea.st Granby, Conn. On racism and ating applicants based on race? My I also want to confirm that the admissions policies hope is that we can solve any social magazine has no editorial policy They’ve ‘come out of Holley Daschbach’s letter (Spring inequities without lowering restricting this news from the col the closeted aviary’ 1990) on Midd’s policy on minori Midd’s academic standards and umn. The magazine’s guidelines I would like to announce that my ties was read with interest. How without raising tuition. It would be for class secretaries do recommend wife (Scripps ’63) and I have en ever, her comments lead to further sad if only the very rich or the against including engagements, tered into a menage a trois (you questions regarding the admissions disadvantaged minorities could af living arrangements, pregnancies supply the accents; I took Spanish) policy. Specifically, in relation to ford an education at Midd. and similar items. The purpose of with a well-known parakeet here in how we evaluate and .select candi Please explain the admissions this guideline is to minimize any California. dates for admission to the new policies of the .school in future is hurt or embarrassment should I feel proud as a peacock that we freshman class. These questions sues; it is of great interest. circumstances change and the news can come out of the closeted aviary extend beyond race. JON YEROW '65 have to be “unannounced.” and invade the bedrooms of Mid The matter of scholarships was Cincinnati, Ohio Having been responsible for a dlebury alumni with this world briefly mentioned on page 11 of the broken engagement and having shaking news. Spring issue. It said 35 percent of Where’s the rationale lived through my wife’s miscar Any effort to expurgate or even the students receive aid averaging for the Vietnam War? riage of an announced pregnancy, 1 slightly edit by your office or by the more than $11,000 per student, I was impressed with the logic and am perhaps overly sensitive to this class secretaries will be met not costing the College $8 million in sentiment in William Kane’s letter issue. However, 1 do work hard to only by our human supporters but 1990 alone. Meanwhile, the annual to the editor in the Summer 1990 be consistent in applying it to the by large members of the macaw tuition has reached $20,300 and is edition. 2 MIDDLEBURY MAGAZINE His criticisms were weak in only cated” him is ungracious to say the drinks lead to mixed messages. If '45, “Let’s bring back the sorori one area. He was unable to illus least, and stupid in the extreme. you want to keep alcohol out of fra ties,” trate a credible rationale for the If Mr. Roessiger felt so totally ternities, then keep it out of the I have lived for 10 years in Eng Vietnam War. On this point, unfor disillusioned with his alma mater, board room, also, land, which has institutionalized tunately, his ability to fairly criti he could have u.sed far more tem I don’t want to see my College’s discriminatory practice on the cize those who fought against the perate language. His observations future toasted with an alcoholic grounds of race, age, sex and, of war is compromised. surely do no credit to what, if any beverage, course, class. There is no Bill of PETER C. ANDERSON ’86 thing, he learned at the College, and WILLIAM B. SKIFF ’.54 Rights, let alone a written Windsor. Conn. certainly are not the mark of either Jericho. Vt. Constitution; it has refused to adopt a gentleman or a scholar. If he felt as local law the EEC principles of Negative letters show this unhappy when he graduated I Let’s put an end to human rights. Its own prime minis health of the College am surprised he accepted his de exclusionary groups ter is excluded from membership of Three cheers for my Alma Mater. gree. Indeed, I should think he Reference is made to two letters in the most prestigious private clubs In recent issues of the Middlebiiry would return it whence it came the Summer 1990 issue, one from in the country because she is a College Magazine. I have read let (with appropriate remarks, natu John L. Buttolph III '64 entitled woman. Observation of discrimi ters to the editor that castigated the rally). "Deke alumni beg to differ” and natory practices in England moves College in general, its faculty and Were he a graduate of an English one from Dorothy Laux O'Brien me to write you. its administration. That the Col university college, he would be lege’s magazine has both a com dealt with far more harshly. 1 be mitment to the free exchange of lieve it is still possible for an insti ideas and the courage to publish tution there to rescind a degree these critical letters suggests to me once granted, for disciplinary pur that Middlebury is a confident and poses; Middlebury might well take above all healthy academic com a cue from England. If Mr. Roessi munity. In short. Middlebury con ger is as unhappy and intemperate tinues to be a college worthy of as he seems to be, he is surely not a support. worthy representative of the Col Having offered congratulations lege and he is better out than within to my College, I must say that I its purview. Possibly then he would cannot do the same for all of my come to realize that Middlebury is fellow graduates. Claude Roessi- not all that "derelict." and would ger '70 (Letters, Autumn 1990) come to at least a partial under apparently believes that wrapping standing of why it has so world his criticisms of the College in "big wide a favorable reputation in spite words’’ will disguise the essential of of its near approach to "the cliff crudity and banality of his opin of idiocy.” In addition to Middle ions. An appreciation of the West bury disassociating itself from the ern culture he so appallingly at venemous Mr. Roessiger, I suggest tempts to defend suggest to me that he take a course of treatment from his true agenda is closer to book a competent psychiatrist. burning than what he has character ROBERT F.W. MEADER '29 ized as "uplifting learning.” Vaknie. N.Y. WAYNE G. REILLY ’57 If you're 55 We have gift plans Roanake. Va. Keep alcohol out of the board room years old or older and that: Polysyllabic words As an old 1954 graduate and former looking to the future, (1) save money on don’t disguise vulgarity member of the South Road KDR Re the letter from Claude Roessi- gang. I was somewhat surprised Middlebury's Planned current taxes, ger ’70 in the Autumn 1990 issue: and very disappointed to open my Giving Office may be (2) avoid capital gains Translating four-letter Anglo- Autumn ( 1990) issue of the Midd able to save you some taxes, Saxon into polysyllabic Latin does magazine and find a bottle of cham not make it less distasteful to read. pagne as a featured item just be money now and allow (3) pay income to Ideas that can stand on their own neath Gamaliel Painter’s treasured you to have more named beneficiaries do not need the shock value of cane. income in the future. for life, and vulgarity to reinforce them. For the past few years, the Col LAURA CHAPMAN RICO '5.7 lege fathers have done everything (4) reduce or Los Banos. Calif. in their power to dismantle the fra eliminate estate taxes. ternity system, saying in part that it Perhaps Middlebury contributes to the substance abuse Call or write for details. should rescind degree problem on campus. I agree that I was totally appalled at the venom things were getting oui of hand but ous letter printed in the last issue of tell me, what's the difference be Planned Giving Office the magazine (Autumn ’90) from tween two KDR boys toasting the Middlebury College Claude Roessiger ’70. I can .see Boston Red Sox championship Middlebury, VT 05753-6121 why one of his obviously strongly with a couple of Buds and two 802-388-3711, extension 5200 conservative views should be dis college presidents toasting the fu turbed by the liberality of some ture of Middlebury with cham professors and students, but to at pagne in the board of directors "^Money Planning Helps!! tack the institution which "edu room? Poor taste fellows, mixed WINTER 1991 3 In connection with Ms. tressing are the impressions formed as the beer ran out. The party that day was attended O’Brien’s letter, my recollection by those who were not witness to Along with increased numbers of or visited by students, friends, fac differs from her own: Middlebury the actual event. From one who was members, I was amazed by the ulty, campus security and others. did not “abolish” sororities. My there. 1 have never understood how amount of alcohol present at frater As far as was determined later, not recollection is that in 1968-69 one it has not been explained in full, and nity parties, and the frequency. One one person had requested that the of the sororities selected a candi has been printed in newspapers senior member of DU told me that mannequin be removed during the date who was black. The mother throughout the country alongside there had been a party every Satur course of the day and night of the chapter refused to confirm her items such as a rape on a Florida day night since he had been a fresh party. Nor did it receive much at membership and there was a vote of campus. man. Ten years ago, DU would tention during the following day, the members to close the chapter. Through unusual circumstances, have two or three major parties, Sunday. Throughout the campus, The charters of other sororities I found myself a senior, at age 28, with smaller gatherings dispersed there was talk of the party, impend required that for there to be a local that spring. Having belonged to DU throughout the year. This was ap ing exams, and graduation. There chapter there had to be at least five during my first round at Middle proximately what happened at the was no mention of the offensive national sororities on campus. The bury, I was not surprised at the other houses; we could not afford to mannequin. This is not to say that departure of the one sorority left activities that took place at my old have more. Middlebury has always the mannequin was acceptable. All four remaining. The result was a house, as well as the other houses. strived to provide non-alcohol re 1 am pointing out is that at the time, foregone conclusion. The College had evolved during lated activities. However, it there was little reaction. In connection with Mr. But- my ab.sence, in some ways for the seemed that the only attractive Dean Erica Wonnacott entered tolph’s letter, we are considering better, but also in ways that had social outlet was fraternities, due to the house Sunday evening, and the right of organizations in the become aberrations of what once the rise in the drinking age, and the asked that the mannequin be re context of an academic institution was. One of them was fraternities, passing into memory of the be moved. Not realizing that the man to exclude from their membership and in particular the annual toga loved Rosebud, Alibi (nickel nequin was still there, I immedi fellow students solely on the basis party held each spring at DU. beers!) and other establishments. ately disposed of it. To say that it of sex. How can the mention of I witnessed much during the time The toga party had always been a hung for “days” as a symbol of "proud traditions” be appropriate span from the fall of 1978 as a big event, ever since it had been violence against women is simply in this context? Merely because a freshman, through the spring of rekindled during my junior year; untrue. principle of exclusion has become 1988. During my first year, the much of it due to the release of the The next day, Monday, 1 stopped a knee-jerk reaction, we must not original Coffrin Committee report move Animal House. Upon my re by Old Chapel for a visit with Dean call it “proud.” What other achieve was made public, recommending turn to Middlebury, quite a bit of Wonnacott. She showed me pic ments of a fraternity do not pale the revocation of dining privileges talk was of the upcoming toga party tures taken during the party. There into invisibility beside this abridge for fraternities, and the purchase in the spring. It was one of the most were very few of people enjoying ment of human rights? and subsequent renovation of the eagerly anticipated events of the themselves, and many of people Finally, those who are “in fraternities by the College. In addi year. The toga party. I found, had acting in less than responsible cluded” in “exclusionary” organi tion, I and some friends whose become an all day. enormously ways. In fact, it had been a very zations should pause to consider parents were DKE’s tried to garner well attended affair, with kegs uneventful party, with little dam the plight of those who are ex momentum to restart the house at running constantly, and eagerly age to the house save for a broken cluded, with the following quota Middlebury. This idea was met joined by both men and women. window. Dean Wonnacott indi tion from Chief Justice Warren of with some coolness by the College, Wonderful spring weather cated that a group of women had the Supreme Court: “To separate little headway was made, and the greeted the day of the toga party. been in that morning, were very them from others of similar age and effort soon abandoned. People seemed to be enjoying the upset about the mannequin and that qualifications solely because of As a senior. I observed the pres festive occasion, and while ex there would probably be trouble for their [sex| generates a feeling of sure by the faculty, various com cited, were in control, having a DU. In a rapid groundswell, the inferiority as to their status in the mittees and groups, and seemingly good time dressed in their togas, whole campus was suddenly aroar community that may affect their the College itself, to dispose of fra and watching the annual "air band” with an incident that had received hearts and minds in a way unlikely ternities once and for all, mirroring contest. One of the acts was a group no reaction the day before. ever to be undone ...” the current popular notion that fra of young women who wore trench My question: If some people I have changed only one word in ternities served little purpose in an coats, and then revealed lingerie were that upset, why did no one ask that quotation, but I don’t think environment that fostered aca and garter belts underneath as they to have the mannequin removed? Chief Justice Warren would cavil. demic excellence. In retrospect, the danced and cavorted to the song “I Did they feel threatened? If so, The quotation comes from Brown stage had been set for some time; all Want Your Sex.” No one took it what prevented them from asking a V. Board of Education. It is still the that was needed was a catalyst. .seriously; and that is the whole friend who knew a member of DU? most eloquent expression of that During my stay, I found it inter point. I firmly believe that if anyone — Court’s determination to end ex esting relating to students, some of I did see the now infamous man students, friends, campus security, clusionary practices on the basis of whom were in third grade when I nequin dangling from the balcony. or faculty — had complained be race. was a freshman. Overall, there was It has been called everything from a fore Dean Wonnacott’s request, it Why not sex? And why not Mid genuine interest in the school and mutilated torso to a bloody affront would have been taken down. Per dlebury? life at Middlebury. Many of the to women. Actually, it was the haps a little common .sense would HELEN W. ENGLISH ’71 gripes were similar to those voiced headless, annless. legless cracked have gone a long way in resolving London. England eight years previously. Most amaz remains of what was a mannequin, this situation, before it snowballed ing was the incredible growth in spray painted with red paint to into the dramatic and embarrassing Another perspective fraternity membership, and the fact simulate a woman's breasts and story it has become. on the DU incident that so many women now joined with an admittedly tasteless re As the spring ended and 1 re In the spring of 1988, an incident at and attended fraternity functions. mark. There was no symbolic turned home, many friends asked the Delta Upsilon house cau.sed the Gone were the “blue cards” that blood; the paint ran. This was an act me about the incident, telling me tumult that brought about changes allowed one fraternity member to of an individual who came forth how they had read about it in the throughout the entire fraternity go to another fraternity party with later, issued an open apology, and newspapers, and how bad it must structure at Middlebury College. out charge. Instead, there seemed stated that it was his responsibility have been. In additon, 1 read or While I would not argue that some to be one massive group moving and not an act of the fraternity it- heard of various other descriptions. change was necessary, most dis from one house to the other as soon .self. I attempted to be objective in my 4 MIDDLEBURY MAGAZINE Update from Student hometowns with information about Alumni Association ourselves. If you would like us to Greetings, Middlebury College meet with prospective Middlebury alumni, from the Student Alumni students over the Christmas vaca Association. We’re looking for tion, or if you want us to come to ward to a great year, and to in one your Middlebury social func creased communication with you. tions, we would be only too happy With innovative leadership from to oblige. our new president, Sara Garcia ’92, It was exciting for several SAA and our advisor, Delilah Poupore members to get to know many of ’89, the SAA hopes to form you at the Alumni Leadership Con stronger ties with the alumni. ference at Bread Loaf this fall. It We have SAA members from all has given us perspective on the fact over the country and abroad. So that there is life after Midd. We don’t be surpri.sed if some of these want to start spreading the idea to members get in touch with you at our classmates now: that even after different points during the year. we graduate, we will always have % 4 n -:’ Although the year has just begun, something great in common. If you the SAA has already been very have any ideas or questions, you busy, helping out with Parents can contact us through Delilah Weekends and the Homecoming Poupore in the Alumni Office, Weekend inauguration of Presi Forest Hall, Middlebury College, dent Timothy Light, and getting Middlebury. VT 05753. We’ll let involved in the annual fall you know how our big plans for the phonathons. year turned out in a later issue. Stay Our goal this year is to involve tuned. JACQUELINE BELDEN '91 SAA members in hometown KATE UNTERBERG ’92 Members of the Student Alumni Association take part in the inaugu alumni functions. We will be .send and TABITHA JENKINS ’92 ral parade, with a banner that says, ‘Let there be Light. ' ing out letters to alumni in our Middlebury, Vt. own telling, and expressed the feel all of the controversy, anger and ings and concerns of both sides. embarrassment? Middlebury of Once informed, most people have fers so much to its men and women. been less than satisfied that this It is time to put this incident behind should have been the actual event us, not without learning from its to have wrought the sweeping lessons, and revel in the social and changes in the Middlebury frater academic riches that Middlebury nity system. College has to offer to so many. Changes were inevitable, given BARRY j. McPherson ’88 the way that the fraternities were Concord. Mass. mutating into something other than what the Greek system intended. Shouldn’t interpreters The alumni who complain that the be mentioned, too? school is taking over "their frater When I received the Spring 1990 nity” would probably be surprised issue of the magazine, 1 was disap at what their fraternity has become. pointed (but not surprised!) to see This is not to say that the school has that, as usual, the interpreter is not AU the right to forge, mold and churn considered important enough to the student body into one homoge mention — the woman (on page M idd S k ie r s neous mass. It is the creative and in 24) insuring that President Robison dividual atmosphere of Middle and and the Rev. Giorgi Vins un bury that is one of its strengths; to derstood each other is me, using my a n d F a m ilie s allow students with fresh ideas to recently (at that time) earned de pursue them and to follow the gree in Russian. The other man was course of learning. Fraternities a friend of Vins’, a Soviet Volga p la n to jo in a M id d ski w eekend have been, and can continue to be, German who emigrated to West a t S ugarloqf, M ain e a positive element at Middlebury. Germany several years before However, all students, be they fra Vins’ release, and who came to MARCH 29-31, 1991 ternity members or not, need to help him adjust to the West. Beth raise their level of social aware Ackennan '79 shared interpreter ness, not just to the members of the duties with me that summer. opposite sex, but to each other and SHARON MUSSOMELI ’78 Two Night Stay $116.00 per person the surroundings in which they Colombo, Sri Lanka Three Night Stay $174.00 per person live. Four Night Stay $232 per person Let us be done with these Editor's note: Our apologies to changes. The ability to adapt to Sharonf or not identifying her in the (includes lift tickets) change is one of the detenninants photo caption. For information call: The Alumni Office of success for an individual, and an (802) 388-3711, ext. 5183 institution. Has it really been worth WINTER 1991 5 ROIDTHEHE Money m atters; Taking tion on where Middlebury is today clude a new computer center, a versus where it was a few years new dormitory, improved athletic a long look at resources ago. He opened by saying that the facilities, and a new student center College is in great shape, pointing and arts building now under con out that the goals Middlebury had struction. The College has been O ver the past few years — 13 hours of it, October 11 and 12 set for itself back in early 1980’s, able to institute and maintain a not coincidentally the at the Kirk Alumni Center — in when planning was under way for need-blind admissions policy, years of the Campaign cluded nearly all of the College’s the Campaign for Middlebury, had pledging to meet the demonstrated for Middlebitry — Middlebury trustees, the president, the senior nearly all been reached. The Col need of any student who is ac College’s budget has risen dra staff of the College, and six lege now has a larger faculty, and cepted. matically, outstripping inflation elected faculty representatives, all pays that faculty better. The stu- by several percentage points — members of the Faculty Council. dent/teacher ratio has been im A ll the improvements, of whether you measure inflation Allan Dragone '50, a trustee and proved, and teaching loads in course, have come at a with the Consumer Price Index, or former chairman of the board, got many departments have been re cost. “We were in a hurry the more college-specific Higher the session started with a presenta duced. Capital improvements in to correct a lot of shortcomings,” Education Price Index. Dragone said, and the College has These budget increases have made and is making about $50 been due in part to inflation, but million in capital improvements. more significantly result from de Dragone said that all the proj cisions the College has made to ects and initiatives were and are spend money on projects and ini good ideas, things that Middle tiatives it considers important. bury really had to do. "But it’s Now, caught between the rock of obvious that we need a different rising costs and the hard place of plan for the future.” he said. “We rising comprehensive fees, Mid need to know where we stand so dlebury. like many other colleges that we can agree on our goals and and universities, faces the need to priorities. We can no longer afford make difficult decisions. to do everything. It was against this backdrop that “I’ll repeat: The College is in the College’s new president. great shape. That's really my mes Timothy Light, took office this sage. And you’ll probably hear it summer. And even before he'd of several times over the next two ficially become president, he'd days.” requested two special sessions of President Light then talked the board of trustees — one, which about the goals of the two-day ses took place this fall, on the Col sion: to acquaint the participants lege’s resources; and another, to with the financial history, current take place this spring, on issues condition and future prospects of and directions in higher education. the College, and with the patterns It’s his hope that these two ses of income and expense: to estab sions will result in shared percep lish realistic ranges for income tions of Middlebury’s assets and and capital over the next decade; liabilities, its challenges and the to foster better understanding of possible solutions, that will lead to the links among the various facets a plan for the 1990’s, to be pre of the budget, none of which can sented by next fall. be taken up in i.solation; to lay the The session on finances — all groundwork for fulfilling our re sponsibility to our successors, Trustees, faculty and senior leaving them resource base staff gathered at the Kirk equivalent to what was be Alumni Center in October for a queathed to us; and to establish a two-day session on the College's common ground for future plan finances. ning and key decisions. ERIK BORG 67 6 MIDDLEBURY MAGAZINE $2 million bequest will set up President Light told the partici The Fletcher Fund for the Future College encounters rough times. pants that in his view, “Ideology is “And as you expand what you the enemy. Fixed positions on During the two-day ses Chair in the Arts.” have to insure,” he said, “you need higher spending, lower fees, or sion on resources in Oc President Light said that the more insurance.” That makes it whatever, are of no help.” He said tober, President Light bequest would be used to estab important to get the greatest pos he hoped that those who took part announced that the College had lish the Fletcher Fund for the sible return on the College’s in in the session would leave with a received one of the largest gifts Future, an endowment fund that vestment, he said, to allow Mid commitment to planning and deci in its history, a $2 million be would be “designated to specific dlebury to “maintain the vitality of sion making “that is based on quest from the estate of Paris purposes for the decade of the this place forever.” That, he said, shared knowledge, and on a recog Fletcher ’24, an emeritus trustee ’90s, and beyond, as a part of the is the chief fiduciary responsibil nition of the links among our re and long one of Middlebury’s planning process that the Col ity of the College’s board of trus sources.” most generous benefactors, who lege has recently launched ... tees, and its finance committee. The meat of the two-days was a died in the fall of 1989 at the age The generous bequest of Mr. Cameron said, though, that Mid series of presentations by trustees of 86. Fletcher will become the basis of dlebury’s “most important invest and College staff on Middlebury’s “I am thrilled and over a fund whose hallmark will be ment is who we let in,” calling the resources. David Ginevan, treas whelmed by learning of so gen prudence and planning. As Paris College’s students its “venture urer and vice president for admini erous a gift in my first months and Marion Fletcher helped lay capital investments.” stration, was first up. He described here at the College,” President the groundwork for the Col Mike Schoenfeld ’73, director a College that has: Light said. “Paris Fletcher and lege’s currently favorable finan of development, talked about gifts • An endowment of $228 mil his wife Marion have been ex cial condition, it is our hope that, and grants, delineating the two lion (as of June 30, 1990), which traordinary in their dedication to through this gift, we will lay the major kinds of gifts: “unre will generate about $8.67 million this institution, which already is groundwork for a strong future stricted” (what most people think in useable income this year (the honored to include the Fletcher with clear and achievable of as “Annual Giving”: money trustee’s self-imposed rule is to Field House and the Fletcher goals.” that can be used for any purpose spend no more than 5 percent of the College chooses; gifts that the market value of the endow tend to be under $1,000); and “re ment — actually, the average mar J ane Bryant Quinn ’60, a said, “but they’re finding out they stricted” (“capital” or “special ket value for the past 12 quarters Middlebury trustee whose can’t borrow for retirement.” project” giving; to be used only — and the College usually spends columns on personal fi Add to that flat or declining fed for a purpose specified by the do quite a bit less). nance appear in hundreds of news eral financial aid contributions, nor; these gifts tend to be $1,000 • An annual budget of about $71 papers and in Newsweek, then and you have a formula for ever- or more). About 85 percent of the million. talked about student fees, particu increasing college contributions to gifts Middlebury receives are re • $44.5 million in debt (includ larly the consequences of eco financial aid. stricted in some way. ing a $40 million bond for capital nomic and demographic changes All of the above factors are lead improvements) which costs $3.5 on this source of revenue, and the ing to what Quinn called “the big S choenfeld said that when million each year to service. consequences of decisions on the melt,” in which some students are it comes to restricted • Gross student fee income of size of the comprehensive fee. deciding against the prestigious — gifts, all dollars are not about $47.2 million (the number Quinn, like those before her, and expensive — liberal arts col equal. For example, he said, take of undergraduates times the Com said that Middlebury is in good leges in favor of the so-called .someone who gives $4,000 and prehensive Fee, plus fees paid by shape: It continues to have a large “public Ivies,” or “flagship” state designates it for scholarship aid. Language Schools students), from pool of quality applicants from schools, schools such as the Uni “We need money for scholar which is subtracted close to $10 which to choose, and many of versity of Vermont, the University ships,” Schoenfeld said, “so that’s million in financial aid support. those applicants are able to pay the of Michigan and the University of an easy one.” Then there are gifts Ginevan also pointed out the cost of their education. But she California at Berkeley. These to the endowment, which you percentages of the various revenue pointed out that this year’s drop in schools are perceived as offering can’t spend; in fact, you can spend components. For 1989-90, student applications (about 15 percent) quality educations at much lower only a fraction of the income that fees amounted to 67.26 percent; presages a national downturn in prices, particularly for in-state stu gift produces. There are also de endowment income was 11.48 the number of college age kids. dents. ferred gifts, which are invested in percent; gifts and grants were 8.63 “The haby bust is upon us,” she What does it all mean for Mid the endowment, and pay income percent; and the rest came from said, with forecasts pointing to a 4 dlebury? Quinn suggested that to the donor for a period of years, “other sources,” including such percent decline nationally in the these trends make it imperative or for life, before the principal College operations as the Book 18-20 year old age group, and an that Middlebury emphasize value goes to the College. Another cate Store, the Snow Bowl and the Golf even steeper decline in the North — that the quality of a Middlebury gory of donations, called “incre Course. east. education makes it a good invest mental” gifts, are restricted for He said that student fees have And with the nation grinding ment. Middlebury “needs to be projects or initiatives that the Col been declining as a percentage of toward what appears to be a seri one of the very top schools, which lege wouldn’t otherwise have un total revenues — a few years back, ous recession, the ability of stu it is,” to convince students and dertaken. At best, these gifts have they were close to 75 percent of dents and their parents to pay for their families that it’s “worth the no effect on the budget, in either the total — because of decisions to college is declining. Consumer sacrifice.” direction. But they can sometimes change the composition of the stu debt is at an all time high, and “The parents of the '80s took involve cost-sharing by the Col dent body. “We decided that we even when the recession is over, whatever was thrown at them,” lege, and have far-reaching budget had too many people paying the consumers will likely have lower Quinn said. “Now they’re saying consequences — which makes it full sticker price,” Ginevan said, buying power — along with it’s not fair.” important to analyze the real costs “and that we wanted more diver plenty of debt. The baby boom Dort Cameron ’67, akso a trustee of each gift. sity.” The quest for that diversity parents, she says, had kids when and head of his own financial Schoenfeld also pointed out has been successful, particularly they were older, and will be retir management firm, talked about some of the misconceptions that in the last few years. The not-un- ing when their kids are still rela the College’s endowment, calling seemed to surround the recently- expected consequence: increased tively young. “They’re used to it an insurance policy, a way to completed Campaign for Middle- financial aid costs. borrowing for everything,” Quinn “smooth things over” when the hury, which ended a year ago with WINTER 1991 7 before us. We need to have vision and understanding, and it’s helped me to see and hear what we have yesterday and today.” He said it appeared clear that "we can't keep doing things in the ’90s that we did in the ’80s. We had to do those things, but now we have to make some changes. We need under standing, and then we need to have confidence in one another, to move on, to do what we need to do, together.” President Light wrapped up the session with an acknowledgement of the role he would need to play in developing consensus and mov ERIK BORG ’67 ing Middlebury forward. He said a total of more than $80 million. Professor Rich Wolfson during bury is how to maintain the quality one of his favorite definitions of a To see the true “capital” effect of the panel discussion on College and vitality of its faculty, staff, leader’s role involved just two the capital campaign, he said, you resources, held on campus in programs and facilities, while also tasks. “The first,” he said, “is to take the $80 million rai,sed, and October. maintaining the comprehensive define reality. Over the past two start subtracting: $13 million in fee at a level that allows “access to days, we’ve been defining reality outstanding pledges (money 32 percent of the total. Middlebury for the students we at Middlebury College. Not all of pledged to the Campaign but not Youngman said that most trus want.” He shared a chart that it. but a piece of it. And our dis yet in the College’s hands), $7 tee giving is restricted for some showed the comprehensive fee cussion of national issues this million in government financial purpose or other, and suggested increasing at 4, 5 or 6 percent per spring will take us farther toward aid (already spent), $4.5 million in that “if Middlebury is to maintain year. Even at 4 percent (which is that definition, deferred gifts; and $26 million its financial flexibility, we need to about what inflation has been av “The second task of a leader is spent on operations during the cultivate more unrestricted major eraging over the past five years), to say thank you. And I say thank five-year campaign. What you’re gifts,” from trustees and others. the fee would be clo.se to $26,000 you very much. I’m grateful to all left with is a $25 million increase The next morning, the partici by the year 2000; at 6 percent, the of you.” in the endowment, and $4.5 mil pants reconvened for a summary fee would be nearly $35,000. — Tim Etchells lion in gifts for building projects. by the president, a discussion of In the discussion that followed, “The misperception is that the the the comprehensive fee by trustees, faculty and staff seemed Campaign created $80 million in Dave Ginevan, and a discussion to agree that expenses needed to capital,” said Schoenfeld. session. be controlled, and also agreed that Search is on Schoenfeld said that overall President Light said that the pre- if that’s going to happen, it will for new dean growth during the Campaign had vious day’s discussion had require new approaches and crea led to budget increases, which in showed that the College was in tive thinking by all involved. of admissions turn have caused a dramatic in good shape, but that if things kept Rich Wolfson, a professor of crease in the need for expendable going on the current trend lines, physics and a Faculty Council Fred Neuberger ’50, who gifts and grants. Complicating the Middlebury would soon "begin to member, talked of the need to has been at Middlebury picture, he said, is the likely short overspend and be less prosperous build community. “Department College for 35 years, term drop in contributions, cau.sed than we are now." The keys, he chairs,” he said, “when they're most of them as director and by both the economic downturn, said, would be to control spending considering budgets, need to ask. then dean of admissions, an which is particularly sharp in the and pay careful attention to reve ‘Is this good for my department, nounced last spring that he Northeast, and the end of the Cam nue sources, and the links among and is it good for the College?’ would step down at the end of paign for Middlebury. However, those sources. He said it was clear We need to foster an atmosphere this academic year. he said, if the College begins an that “if we do anything drastic,” in that leads us to make decisions on We’ll have more on Fred and other capital fund drive .sometime terms of cutbacks, “the net result that basis; we need to work for the his long career at Middlebury in around 1995 — which now seems will be to up.set the wonderful po larger community, not just our the Spring issue, but you should likely — leading up to the Col sition we’ve achieved.” It was also little pieces of it.” know that if you have a sugges lege’s bicentennial year in 2000, clear, he said, that the comprehen Victor Nuovo, another Faculty tion for the person who should this short-tenn decrease would be sive fee couldn't continue to in Council member and a professor succeed him as dean of admis followed by several years of rela crease at the levels it has in recent of philosophy, said he was encour sions. now is the time to let the tively rapid growth. years, because “the market simply aged by the sharing of informa College know. Trustee William Youngman won’t be there.” The College tion. “This is my 29th year at Mid A national search is under way then discussed the role of trustees could spend more of its endow dlebury, and I’ve never been more for a new dean, headed by Dean in fundraising, both as donors and ment, he said, but can’t push so far hopeful,” he said. As a member of of the College John Emerson, as those who solicit donations that it begins to draw it down. And the faculty, he said, this was “the Advertisements have appeared from others. He noted the impor while gift income can be in first time I've seen the whole pic in The Chronicle of Higher Edu tance of major gifts to the Cam creased, he said, with lots of hard ture, and I appreciate that, I think cation and Black Issues in paign for Middlebury, pointing work, history shows that there are it will help all of us make respon Higher Education, and letters out that just 35 donors had been rarely dramatic increases in this sible decisions.” have gone out to nearly 100 responsible for more than .$40 mil revenue source. Milt Peterson, the chairman of admissions officers at other col lion, or half of the Campaign total. In his remarks on the compre the board, said that "we should be leges and universities seeking And the 10 largest donors had hensive fee, David Ginevan said grateful for where we are, and for their help. contributed nearly $26 million, or that the question facing Middle- the people of vision who came According to Emerson, the 8 MIDDLEBURY MAGAZINE