Dear President Wright:

Re: The Swimming/Diving decision.

When we met in Atlanta a few years ago I was impressed that you had a knowledgeable and balanced approach to the tough issues that face you as President.  Several controversial decisions have been evolving relative to student life for quite some time.  Up to now they have been handled with broad participation and sensitivity.

Why would we not place our athletic issues in the same light?  You have a new AD who made, or is part of, a decision that attempts to solve a problem without full consideration of several factors, including an 80 year tradition.  It is certainly difficult to consider retraction because of loyalty, embarrassment and perhaps the appearance of bowing to pressure.  My intent is not to critcize.  It is to recommend the implementation of good business sense based on improved understanding.

As far as I can tell, it is the opinion of almost everyone who has looked closely that this decision was handled poorly and does not reflect the level of analysis it deserved. In addition to Aquatics, it has broad implications to public and internal image, alumni relations and fundraising.  Dean Larimore's quote relative to priorities and programs not being set by "outside parties" was likely taken out of context.  Unfortunately, it sounds arrogant and not sensitive to Dartmouth's "stakeholders."  I presume the Alumni Council Resolution is not viewed as being from "outsiders."  In my business career with IBM some of the best decisions made were to reverse bad ones. (Much admired Lou Gerstner ' 63 did that with IBM's retirement plan; Coca Cola did it with New Coke.)  A quick and effectively stated retraction can go a long way toward image building.

On the positive side there is the chance for a "silver lining."  The interest has been extraordinary and seems to have opened the potential for incremental support to the college.  As a contributor for about 40 consecutive years I have concluded that I could do more and believe many alumni and friends feel likewise.  The chance exists for a financial and public relations turnaround.  I would ask that you become personally visible and assert yourself to reverse this decision. We could then implement an orderly process to follow the type of actions recommended by Steve Mullins & others.

Sincerely,

Bill McClung ' 60
Varsity Swimmer
Varsity Tennis Captain