Yesterday, my wife and I visited Amherst for the first time. We picked up a copy of the first issue of The Student, and I was struck by Andrew Moin's letter ("Don't let me down, Amherst") as well as Lawrence Baum's column ("Sounding the silent alarm on campus dialogue").
Being from President Bush's home state and now residing in New York City, I can relate with both articles. Last year, one of our minister's daughters passed on acceptance to Williams College in order to attend "lesser-regarded" Davidson College in North Carolina. The minister's wife-a prestigious boys' school administrator-chuckles that her daughter made the unpopular decision among those that closely follow undergraduate rankings. The daughter largely chose Davidson because students there actually practiced their religious beliefs versus the all-too-common practice of allowing others to hold a belief. While many at Amherst will quickly engage in a debate about their beliefs, why has it become a sign of weakness to be a devout Jew, Christian, Muslim, etc.?
My wife and I also visited Dartmouth College this week. It was interesting to find information in the admissions office regarding nearly every gender/racial form of studies, as well as a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender club, but there was no mention of Christian groups. It's much easier to "accept" others' beliefs and religions than it is to actually believe deeply in something and practice it. While people might accept a Christian's right to his viewpoint, practicing Christians are probably more unaccepted on liberal college campuses than most-as Republicans are.
Moin's letter was poignant because the prevailing thought is that racial diversity is what counts most. That's what is getting many state schools (e.g., Michigan, California, Texas and Georgia) in trouble for racial admissions preferences. My undergraduate institution proposed giving scholarships for those in need, versus simply those of color. While I am generally in favor of racial preferences, especially at a school such as Amherst, this seemed to be a fine solution.
As Moin mentioned, diversity comes in many forms. Among others, there's political, racial, economic and geographic diversity. As one of America's leading institutions of higher learning, Amherst, I hope, is truly open to people of various backgrounds.
Steve Harper