Dear President Wright, Dean Larimore, and AD Harper:

 

I am deeply saddened by the College's decision to drop the Men's &

Women's Swimming & Diving programs. I am a Dartmouth '93, and was a

captain of the Women's Swimming & Diving team during the 92-93 season.

 

I believe that some of the reasons for dropping the program given in the

press release are completely unfounded. First, Dartmouth's pool may no

longer be state-of-the-art, but it is certainly better than the pools at

several other Ivy League schools. Also, other facilities such as the

weight room and locker rooms are at least comparable to those at other

schools, and better than at others. In any case, the school needs to

maintain the pool for numerous other reasons such as recreational

swimming, the 50 yard swim test required for graduation, or for athletes

who need to rehabilitate from an injury. Second, does Dartmouth plan to

drop other programs (whether athletic, academic or otherwise) every time

there is a market downturn? I thought Dartmouth had one of the largest

endowments and highest rates of contribution per capita/alum of any

college. How can other schools make ends meet during these hard times,

while Dartmouth cannot?

 

On another note, I am outraged that neither the coaches nor swimmers

were given word of the cut until they were called to a meeting to

announce it, just one to two hours before the announcement went public!!

Such a craven act gave no time for the coaches or team to reach out to

alumni and friends for help.

 

So this leaves us with the question, "what can we do to keep the

program?" If former swimmers and alumni are willing to help raise money

to build a new pool, why not let the swimming and diving teams keep

varsity status? I am willing to contribute significantly to keep the

program in place, and I know many of my former teammates feel the same.

 

Swimming was a very significant and meaningful part of my Dartmouth

experience, and without it, I would not be where I am today. Because I

hope that current and future swimmers and divers can have a similar

experience, I have contributed directly to the team in the past.

However, if the teams are dropped, I will not re-direct my support to

other Dartmouth programs, or to the general college fund. I hope you

seriously reconsider your decision to drop the Men's & Women's Swimming

& Diving teams.

 

Thank you,

 

Joanne (Wright) Reierson '93

Venice, CA 90291