op-ed The Ol' Middlebury Balance

Author: Kim Walker

As a senior who is getting nostalgic about leaving this wonderful institution, I feel compelled to note a few changes that I believe have negatively impacted Middlebury. I have spent four unbelievable years here, but in the process, I've seen a transformation of the social atmosphere at our school. I hope that five or ten years from now, I can return to Middlebury and have it be the same great place that I remember.

When I arrived at Middlebury, I was excited to be part of a community that was brimming with smart, well-rounded students who seemed to enjoy living life to the fullest - kids who knew how to balance academics, personal commitments and having fun. As a senior now, it seems to me that students who enjoy socializing on a Thursday or Saturday night are prevented from doing so by a number of factors: the increased strictness of the liquor inspector, the draconian watch of Public Safety and the institutional crackdown on the College's social vehicles (off-campus houses, A-Frames and social houses, to name a few). Even when students try to prevent drunk driving by paying for buses, authorities foil their efforts to have fun safely and responsibly. As John McCardell has argued, the reality is that of age and underage college students, regardless of how strict authorities are, will find ways to consume alcohol, and it is na've to think that this is not happening here.

Social interaction is a very important part of college that can make or break one's experience at Middlebury. In a small rural town with limited outside opportunities, a vibrant social scene is essential to a student's happiness. It is also a way to bring different groups together to kindle school spirit and campus camaraderie. I truly believe that when I was a first-year the school was more socially integrated because there were large gatherings that assembled all types of Middlebury students, which allowed us to interact outside of discussion section. There is a portion of the underclassmen population today that is not able to experience the positive impact of socializing in a broad setting and is therefore not satisfied with Middlebury. For the future happiness of students at Middlebury, I hope that the College administration will consider easing restrictive policies which students try to circumvent each weekend, and consider how to improve the social process as a part of the College strategic plan.

Past generations of Middlebury students have looked upon their experience as not only one of excellent academic, intellectual and cultural endeavors, but also one which carries as carrying on a tradition of balancing work and play. Don't get me wrong: academic excellence and national recognition are a major source of pride and should remain the ultimate goal of this institution. But Middlebury is not Yale or Stanford or Williams. Middlebury is Middlebury, and we must not forget the unique tradition and special identity which has distinguished our school for decades.

A second point that I would like to note is that being proud of my identity as a scholar-athlete has become increasingly difficult here at Middlebury. Aside from the inconceivably discriminatory anti-athlete remark that was on display in the library recently, the general attitude towards athletes has declined remarkably. I can clearly remember my convocation in Mead Chapel on a balmy September day in 2003, when our president announced with pride that an impressive percentage of the class of 2007 had been captains of their high school sports teams (in line with other impressive numbers, such as valedictorians, newspaper editors, musicians and fine arts participants). Such sentiments have faded into the shadows and have been replaced with the notion that athletes are academically uncommitted and socially exclusive (and apparently, homophobic). Yet many athletes at Middlebury would love to announce their GPA, their intellectual accomplishments and their community involvement as an illustration of just how wrong that notion is. As a two-sport athlete and captain, I think I can say with confidence that athletes at Middlebury have had the invaluable experience of honing their time management, leadership and group interaction skills while still receiving (and contributing to) a first-class education. Middlebury should not see athletes as a hindrance to its average GPA statistic or to its national reputation. Instead, it should appreciate athletes as well-rounded, balanced students who contribute substantially to the community and who strive for excellence in both the academic and athletic realms. And these two realms, it should be noted, need not be seen as mutually exclusive.=

In conclusion, I wish to impart upon the administration that Middlebury must not be led astray by the college-ranking industry. We must cherish our identity as a renowned liberal arts college that provides the best "life education" to its students. Our reputation should remain unparalleled not only its excellent academics, but also for Middlebury's ability to provide its students with four years of memorable relationships, experiences and skills that develop outside the lecture hall or laboratory.

Kim Walker is a senior from Ridgewood, N.J.