Marx and Zeitlin share a commitment to the education of first generation college students and to an increase in the College's role in global education. Both men (and we agree) believe that the College should not be satisfied with the status quo. Rather, it should continue to challenge itself as an institution, to challenge its students and to combat institutional apathy and complacency.
Zeitlin's commitment to the values of the College's founders is also particularly noteworthy as he hopes to bring Amherst's facilities and technology into the 21st century. Zeitlin also values those original principles upon which Amherst was founded: a strong College community and involvement in the region, state and world.
Zeitlin, as a member of a younger generation and a minority, may have had experiences more akin to those of current Amherst students. But, it should not be assumed that race and youth are inherently sufficient to represent a diverse student body that contains biology majors as well as fine arts majors, musicians as well as athletes. Zeitlin's varied academic and extracurricular experiences at Amherst add to his ability to represent us. As the faces of the College alumni change, we encourage the faces of the members of the board of trustees to change as well, not only to include more women and minorities, but also to encompass greater socioeconomic diversity as well.
While we understand that it is alumni with the highest paying jobs who can afford to take on what is almost a second, unpaid job, we would like to see an effort made by Amherst alumni to elect to the board those alumni who have made notable contributions beyond the financial sector, in fields such as the arts and public service. It is true that having a financially savvy board has its advantages, but racial diversity alone is not sufficient to represent Amherst as it stands as an institution. While Zeitlin certainly has made contributions to public service, his primary occupation, like that of most of the trustees, is in business-he is a partner at Goldman Sachs.
Change starts at the top, and Zeitlin's promotion is an example of how far the College has come with regard to racial diversity in particular. By the same token, having more women on the board, diversifying the socioeconomic status of the trustees and including younger alumni on the board will all better reflect not only the current student body and more recent alumni, but also the student body the College is trying to build.