Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

I wanted to write on behalf of those who have gone before you, and those who have seen other places. I read Jimmy Thomas’ article about what Monmouth College is not doing in the February 24th edition of The Courier.

Allow me to preface my comments by stating that I was the Head Resident of Cleland Hall in 2002-03. During that time we had major problems in Cleland with the floor tile popping up and a suspicion of the amount of asbestos that was being shared with the students of the building. I took it upon myself to put together a powerpoint presentation of the building and send it to senior administrators with the threat of sharing the asbestos concerns with parents. That Christmas break we got new tile and a carpeted basement.

I understand the concerns that some current students at Monmouth have in regards to the continued growth and the feelings of neglect as you do not enjoy every comfort of life while you are a student.

Allow me to share some of my experiences post-Monmouth as I have worked at other small-private, liberal arts institutions. You have it better than any student I have worked with since leaving Monmouth! You are at a school where they still have the privilege of having growth over the past two years. Many institutions across the nation have experienced little to no increase in enrollment and in most cases a decline over the past two years. This has resulted in lack of funding, cuts in programs, a decrease of faculty (the good ones that haven’t achieved tenure, not the near-retirement faculty who forgot how to teach), and a gradual decline in the quality of facilities. Strategic plans have been reevaluated, building renovations and new facilities have been put on hold, and current students are asked to pay more for less.

I know that I am not a current student at Monmouth College, but I can guarantee that you are experiencing a higher quality life at MC than three years ago when I graduated. Please consider this: The administration at Monmouth must take their opportunities as they come. For example, current students at MC are enjoying the beautiful Huff Center facilities at a time much earlier than the original strategic plan called for but the opportunity came, Walter Huff made a restricted donation, and the project was pushed forward.

The goal of increasing to 1,500 students is an ambitious goal for Monmouth knowing the national trends at this point for the majority of institutions of higher education. They need to take the opportunity while they are enjoying the increased prestige and increasing prosperity as a nationally recognized liberal arts institution.

I know that we all want what is best for us now. For all current students at Monmouth, please recognize that the growing pains you may be experiencing are what will make you proud as concerned and active alum. You will hopefully be able to look back at Monmouth College three years from now, as I am, and recognize how much has changed, how many new residence halls they have had to erect in order to accommodate students, and what great spaces have been created for students. You may even be so proud you feel that you should donate a little to show your support.

I know you would rather feel the growing pains now rather than have the college spend millions of dollars to build another new residence hall this year just to find out that next year they were afflicted with the plague that the rest of higher education has felt and there lies an empty building on campus waiting for the day that it can once again have students live there. Monmouth as seen those days and they don’t want to go back.

My best wishes to all of you,