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President Carol T. Christ is holding small-group
conversations with students, faculty and staff about positioning Smith most successfully
for the future. Here's a summary of one of the discussions.
President Christ welcomed the group to the President’s
House. She provided a brief history of recent major curricular and capital initiatives
at the college as well as an overview of the current strategic planning process.
She then invited the participants to consider three questions:
Discussion began with a question about international study and what it means for
Smith to be a “world college.” A staff member asked whether spending
one semester abroad, or even one year, constitutes a world college experience. Another
observed that many U.S. students come to Smith already knowing they want to study
abroad in a particular country. To capitalize on that interest, the college needs
to develop intercultural capacity in all students and to interweave international
awareness into the overall academic experience, before students go abroad and when
they return. And even for those who don’t go abroad.
A student suggested that Smith’s conception of “world college” could
be linked to taking leadership in educating women worldwide. Another proposed a capstone
project, such as a senior thesis, that could connect to students’ experiences
abroad.
On the topic of distinguishing characteristics, a staff member pointed out that
Smith’s size, as well as its identity as a women’s college and focus
on leadership, give it significant distinction. The benefits of size, she noted,
include diversity, research activity, resources, and the breadth of the curriculum.
Another staff member cited Smith’s libraries, museum and “very committed
faculty” as distinctive assets. President Christ noted that the trustees and
alumnae are eager for the college to enhance its external relations and “get
our good name out”; increased activity via the Web is one strategy that will
be important. Students lauded two outreach programs of the admission office – “take
Smith home to your high school” and the buddy system – whereby current
students recruit others with whom they have something in common.
A frequent theme in the conversation was social engagement
and community service. A transfer student said that her previous college gave her
the chance to work alongside her peers in the community and she misses that opportunity
at Smith. A staff member said she would like to see faculty, staff and students engaged
in service together. A student said she had recently attended a conference on community-based
learning and would like to see that approach incorporated into more courses at Smith.
Several students pointed out that opportunities for
community service may already be available but students don’t know how to access
them, just as they don’t
know how to sort through the myriad events, lectures, performances, etc., on campus. “There
are lots of offerings on campus but students don’t always see them as accessible,” one
said. “To get students engaged, we need to help them see the relevance, make
the connections.”
One student suggested a pre-orientation program about
adjusting to Smith, as well as more attention to transfer students.
The ambition and drive that characterize Smith students are also qualities of our
alumnae, one staff member pointed out. Many alumnae, she said, feel the need to achieve
at a high level and don’t want to come to reunion or other alumnae gatherings
unless they are high earners and have a prestigious job. She suggested that that
might account for the alienation of some of our constituency. President Christ agreed
that it’s important to support women’s ambitions as well as the many
different choices women make in their lives. She described a new program, titled
Narratives of Success, that will engage current students and alumnae in reflecting
on their goals and choices.
Another topic was socioeconomic diversity. A student proposed that the amount of
money Smith spends on financial aid reduces the resources available for the academic
core. President Christ pointed out that Smith has always had a commitment to students
from a range of economic backgrounds and that Smith’s founders didn’t
envision a college for the wealthy. Our commitment to access is something of which
we are proud but which also poses a challenge.
Reflecting on various themes of the conversation, including
community-based learning, public service, and socioeconomic diversity, a faculty
member observed, “We
live a contradiction. Smith has an elite history, but we want to live as if it doesn’t
exist. At the same time, we need it.” He noted that historical elitism has
a certain value, particularly for those who do not themselves come from privilege,
and he cautioned against eschewing elitism, particularly intellectual elitism, “especially
for those of non-elite backgrounds.” If students come to Smith with less preparation
than others, our response should be to create conditions for them to be “the
kind of intellectual people we want our students to be.”
An Ada student raised a concern about class size. This is a particular concern for
Adas, she said, because large classes can make the transition from community college
difficult. When first arriving at Smith, Adas often have a hard time reaching out
to faculty, seeking resources, and integrating academically and socially. “Classes
are often how you meet people,” she said, “and it’s harder to do
that in a large group.”
A staff member raised the possibility of Smith expanding its summer and continuing
education programs. The president noted that no decisions have been made in this
area but that it’s clear the college should be thinking entrepreneurially and
considering programs that fit will with its mission. One example, she said, might
be postbaccalaureate programs in quantitative areas. One participant suggested expanding
the offerings of the Women and Financial Independence program to enroll people beyond
the college; another suggested a part-time master’s degree program for teachers;
still another advocated low-residency creative writing programs. A staff member cautioned
against creating programs just to attract a perceived market. Rather, he endorsed
programs that align closely with Smith’s core academic mission.
A final topic was sustainability. Noting that raising
this topic was her primary motivation in attending the discussion, a student advocated
for reusing space on campus as much as possible. She also asked whether the college
subsidizes faculty living near campus, in order to reduce commuting. She predicted
that if the college doesn’t make significant progress in sustainability in
the next 10 years its reputation will suffer.
President Christ thanked the group for coming and for providing valuable input to
the strategic planning process.
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