Several students and faculty recently approached President Tom Gerety with concerns about the College's sheepskin diploma policy.
During the fall semester 15 professors sent a petition to Gerety protesting the use of sheepskin. The petition read, "We humbly request that the College cease using sheepskin for its diplomas."
Gerety sent an email to the senior class on Feb. 6 asking them for their opinion on the matter.
As of yesterday 124 students had responded to Gerety on the sheepskin issue. Sixty-four of those responses were, according to the president's office, in favor of maintaining the sheepskin tradition, 51 were against it and nine were indifferent.
"I think we are at a point where I can see what the senior class feels." Gerety said of the response, "It seems to be evenly divided."
Students who choose paper over sheepskin either want the tradition to be done away with entirely or at least would like the option for paper diplomas to be presented with equal prominece.
Umit Dhuga '01 wrote to Gerety, "I try to do what I can, and where I see an alternative to an animal product that is feasible, I use it."
"Who uses sheepskin anyway? Apparently, certain small liberal arts colleges, and many universities and colleges in the South," added Dhuga. "The continued use of sheepskin diplomas is atavistic, a thoughtless adherence to tradition."
"I just think the sheepskin is unnecessary," said Ned B. Friend '01. "Students here enjoy the best of everything and they have the misconception that sheepskin is better than paper."
"If it was found to be really offensive to some, then a compromise should be made," said Dempsey Hughes '01. "What is important is not the substance the diploma is written on but what it says and represents."
Students who want to perserve the tradition cite a desire for ties to the past and belive that sheepskin better commemorates the experience and value of Amherst.
Justin Curzi '01 expressed a worry that the 15 faculty petition signers, "such a small percentage of the Amherst community," would have a disproportionate effect on College policy. "In order to accommodate a few people you would have to eliminate a tradition that many value," he said.
"I think there should be a choice for those who do not want their diploma to be on sheepskin," Peter Beardsley '01 told The Student. "However, after $120,000, I prefer the sheepskin, though I respect the decision of those who would not want it."
"I feel that the sheepskin diplomas should be kept, but students should have the ability to choose cloth as they wish," Mark Haupt '01 told The Student. "That option is available now, but it was not clear to us, the seniors, that there was an option. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but the sheepskin diplomas are a unique part of the Amherst experience, so why deny the individuals that want to be part of a tradition? And in no way should we force them upon those individuals that are not comfortable with having sheepskin."
Many of the professors who signed the petition were not aware that seniors already had a choice between sheepskin and cotton-stock diplomas.
"Apparently it is an option but even hearing that I think we ought to move on from there," Professor of Political Science Tom Dumm said.
Though a decision is pending, Gerety said, "certainly one prominent possibility at this point is to let people decide."
While seniors currently can request a paper diploma, many complain that the option is not clearly presented. "We would make it very clear," said Gerety.