THE
POPULATION OF NORTHAMPTON, where I have my house and garden, is about 30,000
souls. The daytime population of UMass Amherst, where I have my working
life, is almost exactly the same.
UMass is an academical city, to adapt Thomas Jefferson's term for the infant University of Virginia, and an academy has purposes and traditions quite distinct from those of a borough. Yet the sheer size of the modern university 25,000 students, 5,000 faculty and staff, in a little over two square miles! must impress on us the phenomenal challenge of governing a large campus. Particularly since, as compared to the city across the river (even if you include the students in its small women's college), the academical city of UMass contains four times as many people who are old enough to leave home and too young to legally consume alcohol.
"Here In This City," by writer Ali Crolius, which begins on page 15, eloquently expresses and reports on this challenge at UMass. As is suggested in that article and others in this special issue, one of many complications of this particular cultural quandary is that alcohol is so deeply embedded in the fabric of college life.
To document this connection we needn't go back to The Student Prince or, with Judson Brown in his "brief history of drink" on pages 24-27, to Plato's Symposium although it is illuminating to do so. We can also look at an accidental poll taken recently when UMass asked its readers "where you called home" on campus. Among some 140 responses from alumni, about one in five mentioned favorite bars: the Blue Wall, the Rendezvous, the TOC; Mike's Westview, the Pub, the Hatch; Barselotti's, the Lord Jeff, and our cover subject, the Drake Hotel.
For these alumni and thousands like them, drinking was among the unregretted pleasures of college life. Doubtless it remains so for many, if not most, students today with the added complications that drinking is now illegal for most of them, and that drinking to excess, including life-threatening excess, is apparently on the rise. The litany of recent deaths and disturbances on campuses across the country is by now a familiar one, and on campuses across the country people are struggling to respond. A recent issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education reported policies ranging from "zero tolerance" to the re-opening of campus pubs. On this campus, too, a review of alcohol policy ordered by Chancellor Scott last fall was expected out this summer. We will report on its findings in our fall issue. In the meantime, we're heartened that one of the campus health educators closest to the problem is quoted by Ali Crolius as feeling that this latest iteration of policy "actually has a chance of succeeding" in reducing the problem.
If it does, the success will be that of an entire community. The desire of the trustees, the president, and the chancellor to see student drinking brought within rational bounds is widely shared. But it must also be widely acted upon, and the first, best basis for action is reflection. In bringing to completion this issue on "Thinking about Drinking," we're far more aware than when we began of the protean nature of drink, which is woven quite as tightly into the rest of human existence as into college life. We're aware of how much we leave out: how much cultural and sub-cultural variation, how much nuance, how much of the depth and detail of knowledge possessed by the scholars of many disciplines with whom we spoke.
What strikes us, in the end, is the scale not only of the challenge but of the moral and intellectual resources that a humane institution can bring to it. In the final paragraphs of "Here In This City," Ali Crolius notes that campus health educators sometimes feel "like three small Davids" up against "a huge, tipsy Goliath." But in undiscouraged moments, these dedicated staff are aware that they're not alone in recognizing the urgent need to "talk to students about what they're doing." Other dedicated staff, faculty, administrators, and students are with them, and so are thousands of parents. So is another David, David Scott. While military metaphors are not our usual cup of tea, we indulge in one here: the earnest efforts of all of us are needed for David's army.
-PW
TROUBLESOME REFERENCE
FOR YEARS I HAVE enjoyed master carpenter Norm Abram's work on This
Old House and The New Yankee Workshop. It goes without saying
that he is an extremely talented and versatile craftsman. While I found
"Hands-on Kind of Guy" in the Spring issue informative and well-written,
there was one small point that I found troublesomethe reference to the
year 1972. The "`72" that appears after Norm's name implies that
this was the year he graduated. The article clearly states that he left
before completing his degree requirements. Therefore, indicating a year
after his name is misleading and somewhat unfair to the tens of thousands
of students who received degrees from UMass over the years.
David DiSessa `89
Feeding Hills
I WAS SHOCKED and disappointed to read two features in the Spring 1998
issue of UMASS that highlighted the successful careers of two UMass people
who did not graduate. See "Hands-on Kind of Guy," in which Norm
Abrams "left UMass just short of a degree," and "Lionizing
Broadway" in which Tsidii Le Loka "left in 1996, one credit shy
of a degree." Among the thousands of graduates who have persevered
and struggled to earn a degree, are none worthy of attention? I believe
UMass Magazine has an obligation to graduates first, not to others
who found it convenient to quit school short of receiving their degree.
Scott Hunter `76 '80G
Lexington
In adding "`72" to Norm Abram's name, we were thinking of
the class of which he was a member much as students entering this fall
are members of the class of `02. But David DiSessa is right. In most cases
those numbers denote graduation. In the future we will identify non-graduate
alumni as "C'72"class of `72, no degree implied.
As regards Scott Hunter's concern, the campus alumni association is open
to those who have studied here for at least two semesters and whose class
has graduated. The magazine has a similar philosophy. While the lion's
share of our alumni subjects are graduates, we embrace our non-graduate
alumni too.
"IN MEMORIAM" RESPONSES
YOU CUT THE HEART right out of your magazine when you reduced the obituaries
to one-liners. The Irish Sports Page is the first thing I turn to when
I read the magazine.
When I first left the campus and the magazine followed me around the state,
the first thing I read was class notes. As news of classes from `58 to
`61 dwindled I started to read the obits first. Lately that was the only
thing of interest to me.
Arthur J. Stevens Sr. `62
East Longmeadow
I'M AT THE AGE when if I don't see something, I'm thrilled. True, I don't
hear that well, but that's as much inattention as wornout ears.
What I didn't see, as I was glancing through "In Memoriam" (which
shows you where I'm at) was any `39s. That's great! With the sixtieth coming
up next year, we need all the survivors we can get.
Sidney Beck `39
Stratford, Connecticut
I RELUCTANTLY CONCEDE that it is not feasible for UMass Magazine to
publish full obituaries of all alumni, even those who have had distinguished
campus careers. But I am shocked to find under the heading "In Memoriam"
a mere list of names. If the editors cannot find space for at least two
or three lines of information about each deceased alumnus, perhaps they
should reconsider their priorities. As for referring readers to a web site,
they are apparently unaware that there are still some persons who find
life possible without a computer.
Ellsworth Barnard `28
Amherst
The decision to list names only in our print version, full obituaries
online, was taken because the old system of two-line obituaries was such
an uneasy and inadequate compromise between our desire both to honor and
to be even-handed. We are now able to do both and to provide much more
information than before. Because we realize that many readers lack access
to the Internet, each "In Memoriam" column notes that we will
gladly provide, by mail or telephone, any additional information we have
on deceased alumni, faculty, and students; and readers have been availing
themselves of this opportunity.
"CHAMPION OF DIVERSITY, INTOLERANT OF DIFFERENCES"
IN HIS LETTER ANGRILY DENOUNCING my comic novel on university life, Shortchangers
[Exchange, Spring 1998], Charles C. Smith reveals that he has not read
it, for rather than ridiculing "hordes of darkies," as Smith
delicately puts it, I make a black athlete a hero of the book.
Mr. Smith also reveals himself to be that paradoxical creature, a politically
correct champion of diversity, intolerant of real intellectual differences
and certain that anyone who disagrees with him is "a smug reactionary,"
as he calls me.
Yet every ideologyand multiculturalism and diversity are among our main
current oneshas its comic excesses, and it is the job of a responsible
satirist to exhibit them. That humorless ideological militants like Mr.
Smith denounce such satire provides but one predictable judgment on the
work. One of many opposite opinions was given by Publisher's Weekly,
which termed Shortchangers "a funny, lighthearted, memorable
satire that takes on some serious subjects." I leave it to the reader
to decide which judgment is more accurate.
The book, by the way, is being made into a movie, and I look forward to
meeting Mr. Smith, placard in hand, as he pickets the premiere.
Arnold Silver
Campus
The writer is a professor of English at UMass. An excerpt of Shortchangers
appeared in our Winter 1998 issue.
MMMMM?
WHILE A LICENSE PLATE spelling "UMASS" [Exchange, Spring 1998]
is a more obvious way to show school spirit, I took a different approach.
[For my plate] I chose "GO MMEN." It has elicited waves and thumbs-up
signs as well as some memorable sights in my rearview mirror.
With the new school logo, I'm hoping "UMASS" license plates will
be available for alumni and friends. This will be another way to promote
the university and show our pride in it.
Thomas E. Radio `69
Westfield
A LOTTA PRIDE IN THIS ONE
SOME FORTY-ONE YEARS after graduating from the Stockbridge School of Agriculture,
I have at last discovered who Lotta Crabtree was ["Lotta's Grubstake,"
Around the Pond, Spring 1998.] I received a Lotta Crabtree schlarship in
1956 and did ask who she was so I could send her a note; nobody could tell
me. Now, thanks to Dean Richard Floyd, I know who Lotta Crabtree was, and
I could not be prouder! I have received many awards, trophies, plaques,
etc., during my lifetime, from Stockbridge, Bridgewater State College,
the College of William and Mary, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Nantucket Anglers'
Club, etc., and this is the one that I will honor the most for the rest
of my life.
Daniel F. Kellhier Jr. `57S
Nantucket
QUESTIONS FOR AGENT O'NEILL
I AM CONFIDENT that the conference on early modern women philosophers ["Agent
O'Neill On the Trail of the Learned Maids," Spring 1998] held at UMass
was of interest to those in attendance. Evidently, there were debates on
whether women philosophers were truly philosophers. The conference didn't
address the question of whether women's contributions were significant
enough to warrant recognizing them as philosophers.
Are we at UMass pushing the existence of evidence of women's contributions
in philosophy where not much material exists? In the main, we are all aware
that women were denied opportunities for learning, working, publishing
or achieving; albeit there were many potentially gifted ones. Let us always
stress good scholarship and not succumb to current media hype.
Joanne Kohn `52
Prides Crossing
SYMPHONIC MEMORIES
"MAESTRO-ONICS" in the spring issue brought back a highlight
of my years at UMass. The Index of 1955 says that was the first
year of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra as "orchestra-in-residence."
The Symphony Singers, a chorus of about fifty women, was formed that year
to sing Debussy's "The Blessed Damozel" with Eleanor Steber,
the Metropolitan Opera soprano. We worked very hard at rehearsals; I can
still hear the music and remember the words. Then, the big city of Springfield
for the final rehearsal and performance. What an experience to be in that
big concert hall and to be accompanying a famous singer! (My recollection
is that she sang in French and the chorus sang in English.) Unfortunately,
that was the last of the Symphony Singers, but other groups were formed
from time to time.
Carolyn Baker Galambos '58
Hanson
SOFTBALL GREATNESS
THANKS FOR THAT great article about softballin general, and UMass in particular
["Perfect Play," Great Sport, Spring 1998]. As a long time ASA
umpire, I can only reiterate what the author said about the speed of the
game. There are very strict limits on warm-up pitches and the time between
pitches. In addition, although one might think that the speed of "Harry's"
sixty-five-mph pitch is slow compared to the ninety-plus mph pitches of
hardball, consider that the batter has about half the distance from the
mound to the plate to get an "eye on the ball."
Some of the greatest athletic efforts I have ever seen, as coach and umpire,
have come from women softball players. I have followed UMass softball line-scores
for many years and appreciate the true greatness of the programparticularily
with seasons limited by the weather. Get out and watch it!
Charlie "Ghost" Anderson '64
Gloucester
"BEST EVENT EVER" IN GREAT HALL
THANK YOU FOR the article on the Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni
Awards Ceremony ["All Appropriate Ceremony," Spring 1998]. As
a State House staffer, I must say that this was the best event I've ever
attended in the State House. Each year dozens of organizations and groups
hold luncheons and functions in the Great Hall to highlight the importance
of their organizations to legislators and other leaders of the commonwealth.
This event, with all of its splendor, clearly fulfilled its goal of showing
what UMass is all about.
Anthony Ong `94
Arlington
The writer is a member of the UMass
Alumni Association Board of Directors.
HAENSEL IS DRAPER LAUREATE
I note in "Profs at the pinnacle" [Around the Pond, Winter 1998]
that Professor Vladimir Haensel was awarded the Draper Prize by the National
Academy of Engineering (NAE). I am not sure that readers realize from the
short description the prestigious nature of this recognition. A few years
ago the NAE noted that Nobel Prizes are only awarded for scientific and
sociological accomplishments benefiting mankind and not for engineering
advances. It then initiated the Draper Prize with a very substantial stipend.In
short, the Draper Prize is viewed by many as the absent "Nobel Prize
in Engineering."
Richard A. Conway `53
Charleston, West Virginia
The writer is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
