The 11th annual Opening Up the Classroom dinner last Thursday brought together students, faculty, and administrators for a discussion about Tufts' presidential search as well as other academic and student life issues at Tufts.
The event, sponsored by the Experimental College, raised the question, "What if Tufts' new president turned to you for answers?" In total, 74 people were given the opportunity to discuss the biggest challenges to the University and comment on its strongest assets.
"I think people brought up issues that we hope would be passed along to the search committee and, in turn, to the potential candidates, so that they know what people on this campus are concerned about," said Cynthia Stewart, the Ex College administrative coordinator.
Many of the issues emphasized were monetary concerns, rather than student-centered matters such as diversity and Tufts' nondiscrimination policy. Members of the Ex College Board and the presidential search committee joined faculty and students in small groups. Each group's discussion was transcribed and submitted to the presidential search committee so that it could take into account input from students, faculty, and administrators in its continued deliberations.
Appointing a president with fundraising abilities appeared to be a key priority for the committee. Some of the challenges that were discussed included the growth of Tufts' endowment, the low alumni giving rate, the need for increased financial aid, the lack of school spirit, and issues surrounding the balance between research and teaching for Tufts' faculty.
A summary of each written statement will be made available on the Ex College website, www.excollege.tufts.edu.
Unlike last year's contentious Opening Up the Classroom dinner, this year's program went smoothly, and effectively addressed important issues, according to students and faculty in attendance.
"Last year, I felt that there was more administration here, and I felt that none of the real concerns of the students were heard," said junior Michael Ferenczy, an engineering student who serves as a residential advisor in Wren. "This year, there was much greater emphasis on actually finding out things from students and faculty, and taking their views into account."
Tufts often finds itself compared to wealthy Ivy League institutions with large endowments and greater national visibility. At the dinner, many in attendance agreed that improving school pride will be a formidable task, and some suggested that more money should be spent on spreading Tufts' name through effective public relations.
One highlight of the evening was an uncanny impersonation of Bill Clinton by Sean Cusick, the director of Cheap Sox, Tufts' improv comedy troupe. "Bill" announced his candidacy for Tufts University president and told us why he was perfect for the position. For example, he told the crowd that he understands diversity, and had, in fact, literally had a taste of diversity at a buffet in an Arkansas restaurant.
While the dinner served as a forum to express concerns about Tufts, it also offered opportunities to praise the University. There was a clear consensus that Tufts' strength lies in its intimate size, which allows for a tight-knit community with enough diversity to maintain an international focus. Many emphasized that the new president should be willing to sustain the University's current atmosphere, rather than expand it.
Those in attendance said "Opening up the Classroom" was effective and productive in acknowledging the concerns of different members of the Tufts community.
"I think it's a great opportunity to have a forum between the administration, the faculty, and the students," chemistry professor Christopher Morse said. "I think that, this time, there was a really good audience here to take what we've said tonight and really apply it to an important situation."
"I think it's a wonderful opportunity to bring together students, faculty, and administration in an informal setting to talk about ideas. It doesn't happen enough and it's a great thing when it does," said Linda Dixon, the secretary of the Board of Trustees who has been working very closely with the presidential search committee.
