The article, slated to appear in the Feb. 27 edition of BusinessWeek, debuted on the publication's Web site last Thursday. Later that night, a student posted the article on the Amherst Daily Jolt forum which, according to Daily Jolt staffer Laura Strickman '07, inspired a large number of posts. "The article has sparked a blaze of comments on our forums, with dozens of posters debating-and battling-over the racial and socioeconomic issues the article raised," she said.
Much of the controversy stemmed from several portions of the article that now appear to be exaggerated versions of the plans actually advocated by Marx and the CAP. Particularly provocative to students were details surrounding several specific alterations to the current admissions policy at the College. According to BusinessWeek, Marx hopes to expand admissions "by 120 or so slots to be reserved for low-income students." The article suggested that the "costs" of admitting these students would be two-fold: significantly lowered SAT averages and an additional $400-500 million needed to fund financial aid responsibilities.
Student and professor reactions were mixed. Some felt the predicted price of admitting more low-income students was too high. Others, such as the Association of Amherst Students (AAS) President Mike Simmons '06, were quick to defy the possible repercussions in college listings like the U.S. News and World Report rankings. "If Amherst College can chip away at inequality by recruiting more underrepresented students here, then I support it 100 percent, regardless of silly rankings. That's leadership," said Simmons. Professor of English Barry O'Connell also offered support. "Amherst is one small college. But substantially increasing the number of students on significant financial aid could set an important example others might follow," he said.
Most students, however, are unaware that the plan outlined in BusinessWeek is what Marx called a "sensationalized" version of reality. "The story exaggerates tensions among students and certainly exaggerates the price that would be paid by the institution for further efforts for diversifying our student body," said Marx.
The article offered several embellished statistics and figures unknown to the president. For example, the increase in overall admissions desired by the administration is closer to 80 students than the 120 suggested by Symonds. Furthermore, the increased numbers are not to be earmarked for low-income students. "The article implies a mechanical admission process, implies quotas, implies different standards for different folks-none of which is happening here," assured Marx.
Despite the inaccuracies, Marx was happy to see the increased level of student interest in the CAP proposals. "The article has certainly spread discussion and I am enough of a believer in education to think that's a good thing," he said. Marx insists that the College's academic standards will not be lowered, but even without that controversial possibility, the initiative should continue to be a topic of much debate.
While most professors endorse an increase in the College's outreach toward underprivileged prospects, the faculty is discussing the merits of recruiting more low-income students. Central to the varying opinions of professors is the College's ability to accommodate students who are less likely to be prepared for the rigors of Amherst. Professor of Physics David Hall '91 agrees with Marx's ideas, but is concerned by their possible ramifications. "I don't think we're doing as well as we might with the students we currently have, and one of my biggest concerns is how we will handle additional less-prepared students," he said. "For this reason, among others, I'm not fully convinced that growing the student body is the right approach."
Marx's initiative will also require support beyond the campus community in the form of alumni donations. Frank Stevenson '77, whose daughter Caroline Stevenson '06 was profiled in the article, approves of Marx's initiative. "The challenge is to accomplish worthy goals like this and still be Amherst-that is, keep unchanged the essential qualities of the place while so much else about it changes," he said. "Its alumni-perhaps more than any other group-know this is doable," said Stevenson.
With a rejuvenated discourse surrounding the CAP report and its recommendations, Marx must now win over those members of the College community disconcerted by the BusinessWeek article. "These are important issues and we need to make sure that what we do is in interest of Amherst and of society," he said. "Only by being forthright and discussing along the way can we be sure we're making the right decisions."