Notes from alumni to the Board of Trustees
The following comments are compiled from e-mails sent to A Better Colgate in response to our request (shown on page 10) of any message an alumnus/ae would like conveyed to the Colgate University Board of Trustees. For brevity and to avoid duplication, we have removed the salutation, which generally reads:
To the Colgate Board of Trustees:
“A trustee is held to something stricter than the morals of the marketplace. Not honesty alone, but the punctilio of an honor the most sensitive, is then the standard of behavior.” Meinhard v. Salmon, 249 NY 458 (Cardozo, C.J. 1928).
The lawyers on the Colgate board will recognize this oft-cited statement by then Chief Judge Benjamin Cardozo, later a U.S. Supreme Court justice. Recognizing that trustees have an extremely sensitive fiduciary duty when handling other people’s assets, what would Cardozo have said about self-selected trustees who are answerable to nobody? They run, however, a multi-million dollar entity with a broad-based constituency of alumni, students, faculty and employees.
It seems to me that the “punctilio of an honor the most sensitive” requires an open method for nominating and electing a reasonable number of the trustees by the clientele served, primarily the alumni who are a major source of Colgate’s fisc.
A review of the board’s make-up shows a considerable distortion. Of the 31 trustees who are alumni, 21 members (more than 2/3ds) derive from the era of the seventies, i.e., the classes from 1969 to 1980. There are no trustees from the forties or fifties, and only one or two from the early sixties. Since the board appoints itself (except for the Alumni Council designees), the selection process appears to result in somewhat limited criteria for its self-nominees.
The formation of a committee of trustees and alumni to consider a nomination and election process (in keeping with most of our so-called “peer” institutions) would seem to be a way to restore the “punctilio of an honor” to the governance of our prized Colgate.
Al Wanamaker ‘53
It is vital to avoid the inbreeding and cronyism that inevitably results from self-selection. If Colgate is to return to first-rate status, which, in my view and the view of my colleagues it has lost, the university must admit and accept new ideas about how it is run, what its priorities are, and what it teaches. Change will only begin at the top and that is why we seek the right to elect members to the Board.
Richard C. Thornton (Colgate '61) Phi Beta Kappa
Just a brief note in support of the concept of establishing a Trustee Election Group for the purpose of allowing a greater representation/voice to alumni concerns. From the CORE of our education: ”The unexamined Life is not worth living" (SOCRATES/PLATO).
Season's Greetings, GO GATE!
Walter J. Healey, '71, '73
Six members of my family have graduated from Colgate (and nine have attended at various times). The family has given generously over the years, but for many years I have not donated money and neither has my wife, Jomarie Theve Andrews, '76. We are unhappy with certain university policies and feel that the Board of Trustees is closed to us in every sense of the word. We did not permit out children to apply to Colgate. I speak for both of us when I say that our position regarding future financial support for the university can best be summed up as follows: No Voice, No Money.
Miles B. Andrews, '76
Can`t hurt to pursue this process to see what develops.
Jack Cashin ` 49
For me, it is important that Colgate stop the in-fighting. It really doesn't matter who is right or wrong. What does matter is that a considerable number of alumni are not pleased with the direction of Colgate. And, please do not tell us one side or the other is misinformed or wrong. That only widens the rift. We need to treat each other with respect. Both sides.
It seems to me that increasing alumni representation on the Colgate Board is a no-brainer. First of all, it would help heal some of the wounds and provide a bridge to help bring us all together. Second, perhaps it would help us feel more involved.
Sir, my daughter is a senior in high school who is going thru the college admission process. She is looking for a liberal arts college in the Northeast. She has noticed my frustration regarding the discord that exists at Colgate. She is a bright student with an A average, 1500+ SAT scores and a whole host of leadership roles in her activities. A perfect fit for Colgate. Except that she didn't even consider Colgate.
In recent years, our family has given to my graduate school and my wife's college and my son's college. We have not donated to Colgate. Basically, we would like to see Colgate get its act together, with an emphasis on "together." Please reach out and try to repair the rift. If additional alumni representation helps, please consider it.
Bob Hartje ‘72
My personal view is that a reasonable number of Colgate Trustees should, indeed, be elected by the alumni. At the very least, we should look closely at how other institutions elect their Trustees and evaluate these alternative systems and their potential application to Colgate. It is reasonable and prudent to do so and anything short of this indicates an intransigence that is beneath contempt.
Dick Rasor '61 Mu of Delta Kappa Epsilon
As an alumnus who has several charitable annuity trusts with the University, and who has contributed during the 60 years since receiving my degree, I must express my resentment to the present Trustees and Administration in their restricting the alumni from nominating and electing a meaningful number to the Board of Trustees.
The Alumni of Colgate University properly 'own' the University, and should be entitled to vote for all trustees to give direction to the University's policies and regulations, and thereby designate the administrative officers. The denial of these 'rights' by present Trustees is an aberration, which should not continue.
In demonstrating my dissatisfaction with the course of management of the University, I have previously cancelled my testamentary gift of $100,000, which had been raised to $200,000, and discontinued my annual gift of $5,000 plus corporate match to the Library, which declined my designation for a Special Collection of Historic Maps for the benefit of the History Department.
I also take exception to the Trustees' Bylaws, which disqualify all candidates over the age of seventy years from being elected. Numerous senior Colgate grads are fully capable of serving, attending monthly meetings with travel at their own expense, having executive and political experience, historical perspective; and can make a substantial contribution, allowed the opportunity.
Who better than the graduates should assess the progress of higher education at our alma mater and set the course for the future of Colgate University?
William C. Kerchof, Class of 1949, Beta Theta Pi
I support the idea to set up a Trustee Election Work Group to see how elections have been handled at many of our peer schools and make recommendations for how such elections could work at Colgate University.
Celeste Hentz Deardorff (’84)
Many Colgate Alumni have started their own businesses in the course of their career development. The experience of managing a small business, initially performing the tasks of purchasing, selling, research, product development, finance and myriad other details, could provide additional insights for the Boards deliberations. The necessity to select some, but not all, of the options due to limited resources hones the skill of cost benefit analysis. These skills would be useful to the Board, especially in the current environment of tight credit and declining endowment returns.
The professorial desire to do "good" needs to be balanced by the resources and fund raising potential in today’s more difficult financial environment. Alumni input could provide this needed balance.
Fred Siemer '58
Alumni know better than anyone what Colgate is and what Colgate needs. We are the ones who know the inner workings of the school. Talking to faculty and trustees over the past year has solidified this fact. Alumni are the ones who feel most passionately about Colgate, and are the ones who know what's best for Colgate. Period.
Emily Busch 2010
Colgate had a campus that radiated with community in the 1970s. Though clearly the
world and students have changed, that warmth is almost gone when one visits today. In my religion, we talk of Tikkun Olam-the Repair of Our World. That should be the trademark of Colgate and we should seek out students who will make the future world a better place and in the interim, A Better Colgate! Choosing Trustees without regard to financial contributions could be a major step in that direction.
Ken Aufsesser '76
In a nutshell - alot less Ivory Tower/insular/agenda-based and a much more real world/fair approach.
Charles Compton Spain ‘78
I am gratified that the Trustees will consider broadening the Board of Trustees to allow direct alumni election of a meaningful number of trustees. Adoption of this broadening measure would go a long way to bring me and the great number of other disenchanted alumni back into 'the fold.'
I have withheld donations to the University because I am very dissatisfied with the present governance structure and the negative decisions that have resulted. Many other loyal alumni have done likewise. I am hopeful that you will now remedy this problem.
David R. Schuchts, '57
I favor more open meetings. By this I mean opportunity for public input, availability of minutes of all meetings and more publicity about the Board: Who is on it? I say all of this because as a freshman, even though they met on campus, it was strongly implied that what they did was none of our business and to "leave them alone". I felt as a student as I do now that the Board should not be filled with so much mystery, that we should all know who is on the Board, their occupations and their link to Colgate.
Dave Van Sickle ‘57
Many years ago this nation had a little flare up over a thing called "taxation without representation." A lot of fine folk fought, bled and died for that. Well, seems to me, asking alumni for financial support without a direct vote for trustees is analogous to that. Ergo, I do hope sense will prevail and the by-laws revised.
Jack Rutter '55
I have been concerned for some time about the liberal make up of the board, administration, and faculty. I believe that the board has become inbred so that more conservative values are ignored or shut out from participating in decisions that affect the value of the education for which the students pay an exorbitant amount.
While the present administration trumpets the accomplishments over the past decade, in my opinion the students are not receiving the quality education for which the families are paying. Classes that have little value to prepare the students for the competitive life that they will face are being created under the guise of political correctness. Of the 200 or so faculty professors, only a handful is conservative so there is no balance in the presentations.
ROTC, which I have fought for in these last few years, was terminated for reasons I cannot understand and now the administration is only paying lip service to the promise of reinstituting this course. In essence, we need more balance in the administration, faculty, and board. Good luck in your endeavors.
Phil Chaffee Col (USAF Ret) ‘55
The other night I received a phone call from a young student asking for a donation to Colgate. She was very pleasant to talk with and was well versed in the opportunities that Colgate presented to her.
We talked for some time about our mutual regard for Colgate. I pointed out that the alumni currently have no direct representation on the Board of Trustees, although we provide the University significant amounts of money through gifts and donations.
I brought up the issue of escalating college costs as an example of why I felt our representation was important. I mentioned the names of numerous comparable schools that afford their alumni direct representation and said I would politely decline to contribute until the representation issue was resolved satisfactorily.
Thinking back to that conversation I am reminded of a Tea Party in Boston centuries ago, about a similar issue - one difference here being the voluntary nature of our contributions.
Our alumni have developed a worldwide wealth of experience, knowledge and wisdom, nurtured and grown over the years from the seeds planted in us during our education at Colgate. To deny the alumni meaningful direct representation on the Colgate Board of Trustees seems a bit quaint and appears to be a lack of validation of the benefit of that Colgate educational experience. Hopefully a change will be made in the near future.
Roger D. Wanamaker, Colgate Class of 1960
If for no other reason, those who are asked to support the institution financially should have some procedure open to them by means of which they can hold accountable those who are spending the money, some means other than withholding donations, which I do not recommend. I will admit to not contributing recently to the Alumni Fund because I do not like the politicization of the university on the extreme left side of the spectrum.
Hugh T. Guillaume, '63
I strongly support the proposal to let alumni vote in members of the Trustees. My reason is personal: I was one of the original members of WRCU and some years ago listened to the station on the Internet. I was appalled that Colgate was permitting the station to play music on Nite Flyte after 10 pm that was laced with the strongest profanity that exists. I wrote to Rebecca Chopp, Adam Weinberg and the president of the Board of Trustees at the time complaining. All to no avail, the response was “the student handbook allows free expression.”
I don’t know if this continues today or not because I gave up protesting. Perhaps some alumni being more involved will address this as well as other problems at the University. New members couldn’t do a worse job. I am ashamed that my Colgate allowed the most vulgar language that exists on a facility that I worked so hard to establish. Particularly since the University has its name on the door.
Glenn Tryon ‘60
The time has come to empower Colgate alumni to have input into the governance of the university we all hold so dear. I believe that this can best be accomplished by changing the Colgate charter to allow a majority of the board to be elected by Colgate alumni. We and our sons and daughters who are products of the " Colgate Experience" can certainly bring to the task the brainpower, knowledge and experience (and good will) to help guide and improve and make Colgate a better learning institution in the future.
Why not use the democratic process for Board selection to improve performance in setting policy and attaining superior results while providing transparency and accountability to those who provide very significant support through their contributions of time and treasure? This is the way it is done at many other similar institutions, providing good results. There is nothing to fear and much to be gained through this approach to governance. Please act now to allow Colgate alumni to participate in college affairs beyond responding to requests for financial contributions.
We alumni will thank you for taking action to bring about the requested change. Positive action can only bring positive results.
James K. Fraser, Jr. '54
When it was pointed out how the Board functions in terms of the nominations and election of trustees, and what has historically transpired vis a vis the alumni body, I was dismayed.
In this evolving world of active participation, transparency, inclusiveness and decisions hopefully being grounded on ethical foundations, the current process is from another era.
Like the NFL, which has reversed itself from its untenable position on concussions (with egg on its face) & political parties that have adopted stances on issues that are the opposite of yesteryear (for expediency's sake), it's time for Colgate to lean in a more favorable direction, one that's politically correct, attractive to all its constituents and which is comfortably defensible.
Like it or not, the alumni body is being treated like a third class citizen in the way the Board undertakes how it constitutes itself. I think it's embarrassing and unsustainable. As a lawyer, I would have a BIG ethical problem defending several Board practices. I would feel like I was on the wrong side of the issue.
Please do the 'right' thing when reviewing the old style of doing business. Share the power with those who have every reason to wield it judiciously.
Dick Gordon '58
It is axiomatic that an alumnus of Colgate who spent four years of his/her life living the traditions and tenets of the University would be far more loyal, far more motivated and far more capable of making Colgate an even better place, than would some outsider with lofty but generalized and theoretical solutions.
E. Terry Durant, Colgate 1954
I support adding a number of alumni to the Colgate Board via direct election. This would encourage greater alumni involvement in university affairs and put Colgate in line with our peers.
Tom Rowley-64
What "entrust(ing) alumni to vote for trustees and directly participate in Colgate's future” means to the present board at Colgate is limited to those with a big checkbook willing to buy their way into the decision process. Good luck with changing the institution.
Richard Case ‘66
I have a graduate degree from Harvard. Every one of its degree holders is entitled to participate in the election of the 30 members of Harvard's Board of Overseers, the university's senior governing board. Surely, not only those who have announced their desire that Colgate's Board consider such a change in the university's health and future direction, but also those who have not, are entitled to such consideration.
Ernest Thayer, Esq. '52
As alumni, along with current students/parents, faculty, staff, and members of the Hamilton community at large, are stakeholders in the organization, your refusal to allow the election of a meaningful number of the trustees by a group that constitutes the largest stakeholder, as well as a significant revenue source, is analogous to the historical disenfranchisement of women and minorities. It is morally wrong and reprehensible, and it needs to stop now.
As an adjunct professor having taught for over thirty years at five different public and private colleges and universities, I understand the university governance model all too well. If indeed the faculty believes they own the place, then let them and their hires resolve the $8 million estimated deficit without any assistance from the disenfranchised.
I find the trustee's position, as espoused by Mr. Clifford in the last issue of the Colgate Scene, to smack of "circling the wagons".
Given the above points, I would encourage all conscientious alumni to withhold any further contributions to the University until changes in the election process for trustees are concluded and there are appropriate investigations into issues involving the management of the endowment fund. These are some of the reasons why I have withheld investing in my alma mater and have instead given a substantial portion of my income to other properly managed organizations.
Oliver K. Burrows III ‘76
Some of us would want to get involved, either through financial contribution, working with prospective students, or perhaps other ways. But if the Trustees reject the possibility of elected alumni on the Board, why should we bother?
Robert Ewalt ‘70
I SIT HERE IN THE SHADOW OF CHRISTMAS TRYING TO THINK OF A MESSAGE
THAT WILL GIVE THE TRUSTEES AN INKLING OF THE SENSE OF LOSS THAT I
HAVE REGARDING THE COLGATE THAT I KNEW AND LOVED AND I CANNOT DO IT.
TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND BETTER ALUMNI PARTICIPATION HAVE BEEN WHERE I SIT, ANTITHETICAL TO THEIR OPERATIONAL METHODS.
WE USED TO BE A TIGHT KNIT FAMILY BUT THE ACTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY
HAVE DESTROYED THAT COHESION, RESULTING IN COSTLY LITIGATION AND
DISAFFECTION JUST AT THE TIME THAT WE NEED "FAMILY" THE MOST.
TO PUT THIS RELATIONSHIP RIGHT WILL REQUIRE THE GOODWILL AND OPEN
MINDEDNESS OF ALL INVOLVED. THE ALTERNATIVE IS NOT PLEASANT: A LESS AFFLUENT, LESS ACADEMICALLY VIGOROUS INSTITUTION CONTINUING ITS SLIDE DOWN THE RANKS OF FIRST RATE LIBERAL ARTS INSTITUTIONS, BECOMING AN EXPENSIVE RURAL ENCLAVE OF NO CONSEQUENCE.
ARE YOU, IN TEN YEARS, GOING TO THROW UP YOUR HANDS AND SEEK TO JOIN
THE NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC COLLEGE SYSTEM AND ABANDON THE VALUES OF THIS PRIVATE COLLEGE THAT HAVE STOOD FOR 200 YEARS?
I WISH THAT I HAD THE WISDOM AND THE WORDS THAT WOULD PUT THIS RIGHT BUT MY MORTAL FEAR IS THAT THE UNIVERSITY IS SO ENTRENCHED IN ITS ATTITUDES THAT NO WISDOM AND NO WORDS CAN PREVAIL.
CLARKE RUSS, M.D. ‘54
I graduated in 1967 at the height of the war in Vietnam. Many of us had limited choices after graduation: enlist, get drafted, or duck the draft with endless deferments. But what about everyone who did not fall into one of these categories?
Many of them got Masters and Doctorate degrees and went on to teach at schools and universities. That is the element that has been teaching our kids for the past 40 or so years. Is it any wonder that personal responsibility is a concept that is totally alien to today’s college administration and today’s students?
Other than attending a football game every so often and keeping up with one or two of my fraternity brothers I have become totally alienated to Colgate as an institution of higher learning. When Colgate used the tactics of intimidation and extortion to take something of value from the alumni any good intentions they may or may not have had flew right out the window as far as I was concerned and I totally lost interest. Just as today's Congress is devaluing the efforts of a lifetime for all of the citizens of my age group, Colgate's Boards of Trustees and Administrations have devalued my Degree.
It is unfortunate, but today I have the attitude that: I paid for my tuition at Colgate (not my parents), attended classes, earned my degree and left, case closed. At one time there was a difference: I used to support Colgate every once in awhile with a donation.
John W. Stewart '67
It's time for Colgate to allow its alumni back into the process of governance including the selection process for future Board members. Until that happens the majority of the alumni will contend that the University has been hi-jacked. We should be able to participate in Colgate's future and to have something of which we can be proud.
Bruce Gammill ’68
First let me thank both the Addresses (A Better Colgate, Colgate Alumni Office) for the work they are doing to make Colgate University BETTER. I know both sides have different reasons for their actions and positions on the subject of Voting for the Colgate Board of Trustees. The key in this debate is to openly discuss these reasons so everybody knows how a "final" decision is reached. I use the word "final" loosely as nothing is really final these days.
I must say in my 59 years since leaving Colgate I have found the best projects that I have been involved in were those that were open and ones with maximum participation. It would seem based on this history that letting the alumni participate in the election of a reasonable number of Board members would be most beneficial to Colgate's successful future.
I just completed a DVD Course on the next 20 years. The major item I took away from this Course was that the next 20 years are not going to be like the last 20 years. With this in mind please keep an open mind on how Colgate Board members are selected. While successful in the past it probably is not the best for the difficult future that we all face.
Have a Great Holiday and a Super 2010. "Go Gate!"
Al LeBlang Class of '50
Direct election is the simplest and best way of handling elections. You can see the objections that are raised every four years to our Electoral College method of election. Why should a majority be held up by a few electors who do not support what the voters want?
Laurence I. Goodman '60
Dear Friends in Colgate,
Alumni participation and closeness has always been the foundation of the vitality that is The Colgate Spirit. Election of Board representation by the general alumni body would strengthen even further the bond that binds us all to our Alma Mater. Please make it happen as we move into a new era of Colgate life.
Doug Wilson '57
Qualification for election as a Colgate Trustee should be predicated upon a candidates stated objectives to improve all aspects of university life and operation. Assuming elected Trustees will serve one term only, their main purpose would be focused upon University matters only and not perpetuating nor being concerned with Trustee Board terms. In fact, having totally elected Trustees speaks more directly to a focused Board committed to working hard to achieve stated goals. Also, elected Trustees would be very much more open and directed to engaging alumni/ae in university matters due to term limits.
Open trustee elections by alumni would set a fine example of how a free society is supposed to function.
Ed Ross ‘50
THREE GENERATIONS OF MY FAMILY ATTENDED COLGATE, AND I DON'T FEEL THE PRESENT ELECTION SYSTEM REPRESENTS THOSE ALUMNI LIKE MYSELF WHO HAVE A BIG STAKE IN THE SCHOOL, ITS TRADITIONS AND ITS SPECIALNESS. I FEEL DISENFRANCHISED BY, AND DETACHED FROM, THE SCHOOL AND ITS LEADERSHIP.
ROBERT L JAMES SR. '58
NEPHEW OF THEODORE JAMES '17; COUSIN OF J. RICHARD MCLAUGHLIN ’52; AND FATHER OF ROBERT JAMES JR. '79.
I am in favor of asking the Board of Trustees to establish a Trustee Election Work Group to see how board elections are handled at peer schools and to recommend how such elections could work at Colgate University to achieve greater involvement of and responsiveness to alumni.
Karina M. Thomas, Esq. ‘84
Colgate, for me, has ever been in my heart though only recently did I realize how much. When I was a freshman, I fractured my neck playing football and was left paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. I managed, through the likes of “Doc” Reading, to resume my studies despite the fact that I was in cervical traction and barely able to hold the textbook for History 101, read and do assignments. I was connected via speakerphone to his classroom so I could hear his lectures, answer his questions and, best of all, share in the experience of his banter.
I decided to return to Colgate after a year lost. When I did, various faculty and administration, every student and an occasional Hamilton resident were always ready to help a guy in a wheelchair navigate steps, get special parking and have as normal a college experience as any able-bodied person. All of this when the world, and especially Colgate, was 25 years away from the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Like some alumni, I never returned to Colgate after my 1969 graduation though I kept up with events monthly through The Colgate Scene. I could assert a variety of reasons, none of which would be really justifiable but I didn’t. When Art Clark took the reins of organizing our 40th Reunion, I just couldn’t say no any longer.
I guess you can imagine the shock of an alumnus driving up 12B, seeing the towns now 40 years older and thriving and a campus that had many changes. Through it all, the town and campus remained as beautiful as ever, though enriched by decades of improvement. I was spellbound. I met numerous students currently attending school (mostly women!) and I felt much at home talking to them and they were hungry to hear about my experiences so many years ago.
Colgate alumni, even when they don’t actively participate in alumni activities, still have an abiding love, interest and concern for Colgate and its future. It is only from the collective experience of its alumni, not to mention financial support that the school can maintain its evolution as an academic institution and benefit from the diverse and successful record that alumni represent.
I believe our alumni are a sentient group, active in enabling the school to draw upon that heritage so Colgate can grow without losing its important roots. Having a substantive voice on the Board can only enhance the benefit that alumni can bring to the table.
Steven Paul Mark ‘69
Attorney at Law
As a proud member of the Colgate community both as a grad and son of one of Colgate's most distinguished professors, Alfred R. Krakusin, I am writing to urge you to accept the proposals set forth by Alumni for A Better Colgate with regards to the direct election of certain Trustees by the alumni.
The great overriding strength of Colgate throughout the generations has been found in its alumni, whether during peace or war. It seems obvious to me that we alumni should also have a meaningful voice in determining who represents us on Colgate's Board of Trustees. It is time for this change to be made and I sincerely and respectfully request that you do so.
Roger K. Krakusin ‘64
Attorney at Law
Let everyone swallow their egos and focus on ways to improve the Colgate experience. I am sure there are mistakes and false assumptions by the Alumni and Board of Trustees on the matter of proper representation on the Board. Work as a team and prevent Colgate from becoming just another private university. The Board of Trustees must recognize how important Alumni are in the funding and overall success of Colgate. The Alumni should be the Boards "eyes and ears" in the communities that recruit the best and brightest to Colgate. Let's keep it win-win.
Al Mango 1960
The current Board of Trustees (BOT) as a unit is totally out of sync with the Alumni Community much like the current "left-wing" Liberal Government now running our country. I do not want to mix politics with the current situation at Colgate, but the similarities are too obvious. Tim, being a former a member of the BOT, you have inside knowledge of how it works, therefore, your recommendations are of utmost importance to me and all of the Colgate Alumni Community, which is a fellowship of former students who are defined by values far beyond the criteria of: "virtue of his or her volunteer contributions or financial donations." I believe the fact that many of us invested 4 years of our lives to the "spirit" of Colgate University as undergraduate students and most of shed some "blood, sweat and tears" as members of one of the sports teams or participate in other programs that contributed our personal resources to the life of the college. I for one had the good fortune of playing Varsity Football and Baseball, and of course I have deep gratitude to Colgate for providing me with this opportunity to participate in NCAA sports' programs. Another big part of my life as a student was being a member of Phi Delta Theta and receiving the benefits of "life-time" fellowship with my fraternity brothers. What was beautiful about this experience is that as a member of this more than 100 year old Greek Fraternity, my fraternity brothers and I were able to connect with brothers who were at Colgate in the early 1900's; brothers such as John Dunn ('17), Lloyd Huntley (24), and "Doc" Hetherington (16'). Currently, my wife and I sing in a choir at our church here in Marshfield and I have learned that Lloyd Huntley was the choir director of this same little church in Marshfield Hills back in 1949-50's prior to returning to Colgate University to become the "Colgate Spiritual Leader and Music Director" and our Phi Delt Alumni Advisor. What a connection! It is a small world.
As an alumnus, I have connected with former Colgate students, teammates and fraternity brothers. Most of us are not as connected to the university itself, and many of us like myself, are disenchanted with some of the missions of the current Board of Trustees, especially the absorption of the Greek fraternity private properties. This wound has not and may never heal, and much of this healing process will be influenced by the future direction of Colgate's administration. I experience ambivalent feelings when speaking with local families and high school students about the merits of attending Colgate University, my alma mater. It’s a sad state of mind.
My experiences and my personal connection to Colgate is something that no outsider could ever understand. Colgate is a special place as espoused in the Colgate Anthem. I notice that some of the current BOT members are not alumni, and I suppose that is okay as it adds some diversity and a broader worldview. The ability for alumni such as myself to have some input (with my vote) into the selection of BOT members would definitely add to the diversity and the quality of the Colgate Board of Trustees, as it would offer a much better connection to the "real assets" of Colgate University, that being the Alumni Community. There are a large number of alumni, "the silent majority", that share my feelings, and it is necessary for Colgate to make this change to the administrative process now. There is strength in numbers, not just dollars ($).
I could write more, however, I hope that I am able to add a little "light" on the argument, "that the Colgate Alumni Community is much more than how much money an alumnus/ae donates to the college". Each Colgate alum has a wealth of stories such as mine to share, and I believe the efforts of "A Better Colgate" to invest all this wealth of a diversity of alumni loyalty and spiritual energy into the Board of Trustees is an honorable and necessary mission.
- Norm Platt
Class of 1964, Phi Delta Theta
e-blast sent to Colgate alumni 12/22/2009
After delivering our petitions and answering questions by Colgate's Board of Trustees in October, the Trustees will review our request and evaluate any additional information at their January board meeting.
Specifically, the board will consider our request to change the Bylaws to allow direct alumni election of a meaningful number of trustees and/or to set up a Trustee Election Work Group to see how elections have been handled at many of our peer schools and make recommendations for how such elections could work at Colgate University.
Accordingly, at the request of Chairman of the Board of Trustees Chris Clifford, A Better Colgate is sending a packet of information to aid in their deliberations. We would like to include your comments in that packet.
Please send us any message you have for Colgate's Board of Trustees as to why they should entrust alumni to vote for trustees and directly participate in Colgate's future no later than Monday, December 28. Send your message to alumni@abettercolgate.com.
By responding, you are giving us permission to include your comments to the trustees in our packet. Please indicate if you wish to remain anonymous.
Thanks for your continued support. Happy holidays!
Board of Directors
A Better Colgate www.abettercolgate.com
Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 8:37 AM
Subject: Re: Colgate University Governance & ABC
To the Trustees:
While the founders of the University thought to perpetuate their point of view (and that point of view is certainly debatable) through a self -selection process of trustees, since the 1960's the point of view of the trustees has shifted dramatically to the left.
This shift was evidenced by the decision of the Board to obtain the real property of the fraternity houses through a process of extortion and confiscation. Previously only publicly elected entities of the federal, state, and local governments had this power.
I have lost a great deal of interest in Colgate, as the faculty, administration, and Board of Trustees no longer reflect or are willing to take into account the wishes of the Alumni. The founders of the University were deeply religious men whose attitudes reflected the founders of the United States of America and the contemporary mores of 19th century America. Colgate, as you may be aware, was originally Madison University, a Baptist seminary. I wonder how well the current social paradise in the Chenango Valley would go over with them.
If for no other reason than the failure to maintain the original purpose of the University your point number one is invalid. The current selection process has led to a situation where a substantial portion of the Alumni whose financial contributions are important to the financial well being of the University have been alienated, myself included. The ties that bind alumni to the University are the traditions and values that it taught when the alumni attended. If you abandon those values and traditions don't expect to be loved in return.
As to the proposition that Colgate is performing well, I believe that you should consider in what parameters the University is performing well. If you wish to promote bloated administrations, skyrocketing expenses, and unaffordable tuition, I would agree. If you wish to promote a valued education, I would say that Colgate is currently over-rated. Our daughter, her Southold, NY high school valedictorian in 1996, took one look at Colgate, and did not even apply. She chose, instead, your referenced university, Dartmouth, although she could have attended more prestigious Universities had she wished as did some of her high school classmates.
I have read of recent Colgate grads who have not been able to attend some graduate schools due lack of a balanced undergraduate program, most notably the lack of required courses in mathematics.
As to the proposition that few alumni typically vote, I would reply they had lost interest because the community that the University seeks to establish had abandoned them and was no longer relevant to them. These seem to be more self-serving excuses than real reasons to inspire participation in the community.
John W. Stewart '67