In making his decision, Gerety stressed the importance of upholding the College's tradition of sheepskin diplomas. "People's traditions ought to be seen as important," he said.
"I'm disappointed in the decision," said Noah T. Winer '01, a member of Amherst's vegetarian group. "I just hope that people will give some thought [to whether] sheepskin is so important."
As in a previous email to the senior class, Gerety noted the similarity between using sheepskin diplomas and serving meat at Valentine. "I don't think there's any more value than taking animals' lives for foodstuffs," he said.
Gerety also cited the fact that the sheepskin for use in this year's diplomas has already been purchased.
Students wishing to receive paper diplomas will still be able to do so. This alternative will be made more explicit than in past years, appearing on the name correction form distributed to all seniors, rather than on a separate form previously available only by request.
Student reaction to Gerety's decision was mixed.
"I'm disappointed," said Ned B. Friend '01. "I think that paper should be the default option and that people should have to choose sheepskin."
Peter Beardsley '01 saw the decision as a sign of progress. "I think it's great as long as people who don't want sheepskin have another choice," he said. "I think it's a step in the right direction."
Gerety stated that he would reevaluate the situation for the Class of 2002, based on the interest in paper diplomas this year.