President Tony Marx addressed the faculty at his first faculty meeting, the first meeting of the academic year, last Monday morning, Sept. 1. The meeting started with a welcome to new members of the faculty and administration and those returning from sabbatical or leaves of absence.

"What an honor it is to be here and part of this college," he said. "I believe deeply in education's ability to change lives and change the world."

In these early comments, Marx addressed speculation that his presidency might instigate a movement for a core curriculum. "People ask me whether I come to impose a specific agenda." "[I am] neither eager nor ready to suggest a core curriculum," said Marx. "We need to remain dedicated to diversity without sacrificing quality."

Dean of the Faculty Gregory Call reported that the College recently announced searches for 5.5 full-time tenure track or senior positions.

The department of anthropology and sociology will look for a tenure track assistant professor specializing in medical anthropology. The economics department will search for two positions, one open rank and one tenure track assistant professor. The fine arts department will seek to fill a senior position and an associate or full-time professor to instruct sculpture and drawing. In a joint venture, the history and black studies departments will look for a tenure track historian specializing in "the African American experience." The law, jurisprudence and social thought department will seek a part-time tenure track assistant professor. Finally, the religion department will search for a tenure track assistant professor specializing in modern religious thought.

Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Thomas Parker reported to the faculty statistics for the class of 2007, announcing that out of 5,631 applicants, 1,003 were accepted and 414 matriculated, resulting in a 17.8 percent acceptance rate. 32 percent are students of color, with 49 African Americans, 51 Asians, 28 Hispanics and 22 students who describe themselves as multiracial. Twenty-nine first-years are international students from 20 different countries. Forty-two are children of alumni.

Dean of Students Ben Lieber spoke to the faculty about the increase in instances of plagiarism and cheating at the College. "In 2002, 35 cases were reported ... that compares to an average three to five cases in the early 1990s," Lieber said.

One of the new initiatives to address plagiarism was a mandatory panel on intellectual property held during first-year orientation. Lieber said that faculty members have been asked to emphasize and read the statement on intellectual responsibility in their classes. "This has to be a collective issue for all teachers," Lieber said.

Dean of New Students Allen Hart addressed first-year orientation, calling it "an unqualified success."

Four new academic programs were added to the orientation schedule, including a commentary by Dean Susan Snively on the historic visit of John F. Kennedy to the College in 1963, and a presentation called, "Memory: Remember What is Important," given by Professor of Psychology Matthew Schulkind.

Chief Advancement Officer Michael Kiefer identified the College's fundraising priorities. These include the renovation of Seeley Mudd, expansion of the Quantitative Skills Center and student internships in non-profit organizations.

Kiefer mentioned extending colloquia to allow alumni participation. "Alumni are really eager to interact with the faculty on an intellectual basis," Kiefer said.

Gift income totaling $22 million this year decreased from last year's $27 million, according to Kiefer.

Treasurer Peter Shea reported that the College's endowment increased by two percent to total $877 million by the end of the 2002-03 school year. He attributed the small decrease to "our well diversified portfolio strategy." Future goals include raising an additional $50 million to finance the residential master plan, which should be complete in 2007.

Director of Information Technology Philip Fitz addressed two issues that have been at the forefront of campus concern: email and filesharing. Regarding email, he said, "I think we have nailed these mistakes," by moving the faculty email to a different server. New email features include spam screening. Fitz also maintained, "Amherst does not monitor Internet content anywhere," despite pressure from the RIAA, "in the interest of academic freedom."

The meeting concluded with the approval of a new First Year Seminar (FYS) entitled "The Arts of Spain, from 'The Siglo de Oro' to Saura."