Association of Alumni Announces Slate of Nominated Candidates

Monday, December 21, 2009

Association of Alumni Announces Slate of Nominated Candidates

Here is the slate of officer and Executive Committee candidates nominated by the Association of Alumni for 2010-11:

President: John H. Mathias Jr. '69

First Vice President: Veree Hawkins Brown '93

Second Vice President: Douglas Keare '56, '57Th, '57Tu

Secretary-Treasurer: Lynne Hamel Gaudet '81

Executive Committee Members:

Mark Alperin '80
Marian Zischke Baldauf '84
John Engelman '68
Ronald Harris '71
Kaitlin Jaxheimer '05
Otho Kerr, III '79
Ronald Schram '64

January 11, 2010 is the deadline for petition candidates to file for inclusion on the Association of Alumni ballot

25 Comments:

Why the same people for three years? Isn't anyone else interested? Can the College cut costs by lengthening the terms?

By DartBored, at 12/21/2009 5:34 PM
Will the Association of Alumni ever have an independent Secretary who is not a College administration employee?

Moving to a two year term would make a lot of sense, regardless of who holds the offices.

By Tim Dreisbach '71, at 12/22/2009 1:04 PM
The College could cut many 10's of thousands of expense dollars by informing the Association that it needs to begin paying its own way.... and then granting it (us) the true independence to do so!!! The only necessary sacrifice is to relinquish control to alumni. Why is that too much to ask?

By Tim Dreisbach '71, at 12/22/2009 1:13 PM
As we come to the end of another year, Dartmouth alumni have so much to proud of. We have a new era on campus with President Kim and we should give him our full support. And, there has been two years of relative calm within the alumni body with everyone working together and for that we should applaud the Alumni Council, the Association of Alumni and yes, the Board of Trustees. 2010 will not be easy with the financial situation that Dartmouth faces, but we know that President Kim and his administration will weather the storm and Dartmouth will be just strong as ever. We applaud you all.

By John Fitzpatrick, at 12/26/2009 1:53 PM
"John Mathias has scheduled a meeting with Trustee Ed Haldeman at his McLean, VA office on December 15 at 11:00 a.m. The meeting is to continue his discussion with Ed on whether the board would consider at some point increasing the number of elected trustees. All AOA Executive Committee members are invited to attend. Ron Harris and Doug Keare expressed an interest in attending in person. John will check on phone conferencing capabilities for this meeting."

AoA EC minutes November 30, 2009.

This sort of discussion seems more likely to increase the proportion of alumni trustees than any of the rights-based belligerence of The Caucus or its EC.

By Scott, at 1/11/2010 12:43 PM
Dec. 15, 2010? If this happened over a month ago in 2009 and progress was made, why no report?

Will adding 1-2 new alumni trustees suffice as a token? I am sure that any dialog by the current incumbents on increasing the proportion will not be material, given that those supposedly-representing the alumni interest were also participants in discussions on eliminating parity forever. Hence the unauthorized inclusion of the "with prejudice" condition to withdrawing the lawsuit.

Scott: Why not your usual outcry that all trustees are alumni trustees, but none of them are elected by alumni?

By Tim Dreisbach '71, at 1/12/2010 6:00 PM
Has anyone looked at the slate of petition candidates for the AofA? Except for Mike Murphy, the others are unknown. Not even their classmates will recognize them. It's too bad a stronger slate couldn't be found.

By John Fitzpatrick, at 1/14/2010 12:29 PM
John F re no one will recognize the petitioners: Not even the classmates of Noah R. who voted him their class president as a student? Not even the readers of the Wall Street Journal, where Emily E-S. is now a bylined writer? Not even Rick P's acquaintances from the great class of 1971?

Then again, why do you want a popularity contest? Should we not wait until candidates, from both slates, tell us where they stand of issues of import?

I am curious to hear where they stand on independence in alumni governance (free from vetos and content control by the alumni relations office), and on parity in college goverance (recognizing the value of alumni participation at a meaningful level). Maybe also some insight into their views as to the challenges and future direction of Dartmouth, even though that is more germaine to contested trustee elections if and when we have them.

By Tim Dreisbach '71, at 1/15/2010 11:01 PM
What we knew was going to happen has finally happened, Joe Asch is running for the Board of Trustees. Where did he get our addresses? He gave us a glowing resume and there is no doubt that he is sincere in his beliefs, but Joe left one thing out and that is his connection to the Hanover Institute. For the past six years he's been John McGovern's right hand man. Do we really want the Hanover Institute represented on the Board?

By John Fitzpatrick, at 1/19/2010 5:54 PM
I tend to think of Gado rather than Asch as MacGovern's right-hand man...

I'm not sure Asch gives the full story regarding his writing for what he calls "the College's leading blog: Dartblog.com."

But I do appreciate his novel accuracy regarding the fact that the elected trustees are elected by the board.

By Scott, at 1/19/2010 6:39 PM
In response to Fitzpatrick's comment @5:54:
In a word: NO

By mcasehartfiel, at 1/19/2010 7:28 PM
John and Scott: Can you Hanover Institute bashers please explain why its alleged secrecy is any different from that of Dartmouth Undying, and why the latter, which runs a prominent ad link every day on the online D pages, is more credible in your eyes regarding candidate endorsements?

At least the Hanover Institute will tell you who its organizers are, regardless of whether you agree with its actions or not. For some reason, Dartmouth Undying appears unwilling to identify its leadership.

What exactly is the "connection" between Mr. Asch and the HI anyway?

Martha: I agree with you, and expect so would Joe Asch. and even John MacGovern himself. Anyone who knows Joe understands he will not be a token schill representing any organization over his own beliefs. More appropriate questions: Do you agree with the facts as presented in the Asch letter (most taken from College data sources)? If so, do you share his concerns, as apparently even our new president does? Or do you agree with John Mathias that these facts must be incorrect in that administrative excess has been a mere "political mythology"?

By Tim Dreisbach '71, at 1/19/2010 7:52 PM
I hadn't heard the news about Asch. This is great. Alumni who spend a little time to become informed will be impressed. Kim is already listening to him.

By DartBored, at 1/19/2010 8:16 PM
Tim- Thank you for acknowledging that my emphatic reply targeted JF's question about whether the voice of a particular institution should be represented on the Board.
As for the "facts as represented" in Mr. Asch's statement-I am a lawyer by trade and consequently have the need to do my own due diligence about whether a statement is "in fact" a "statement of fact."
I am currently in the midwest counting cows (really!)for my job and so cannot answer your inquiries at the moment.

By mcasehartfiel, at 1/19/2010 8:35 PM
Counting cows... what fun!

For readers who may not have received the letter under discussion, announcing Asch's candidacy, some of the facts it presents are:

*** over the past decade, while the endowment soared, the Administration not only took out more money due to the expanded base, but also increased the draw from a traditional 4.5 to 5.5 percent to over 7 percent.

*** even after a 2 year decline of 25%, the endowment remains at the level it was at only about 3 years ago.

*** the College employs 42% more people than 10 years ago (3,417 vs 2,408).

*** the College spends 40 cents above each dollar of salary for employee benefits, compared to Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Cornell who all spend less than 28 cents to each dollar.

*** student oversubscription is enough of a problem that students signing up for 3 courses in a term also sign up for 3 backups.

*** the current dorm policies require students to re-enter a room draw with no priority to retain their original dorm, which surely must disrupt the continuity of student life.

*** at the start of his tenure, Jim Wright labeled Dartmouth "a research university"; by the end of his term, he was calling on Dartmouth to be the finest undergraduate college in the world, a vision held by most alumni. Joe claims this change was caused by the alumni's election of petition trustees. This may be fact or opinion, but I do know personally as fact that the petition trustees shared the latter view and that they lobbied with the Board for a mission statement revision that made this clear.

Now it is time for me to go count sheep.

By Tim Dreisbach '71, at 1/19/2010 9:13 PM
From the Dartmouth Undying website:
"Dartmouth Undying’s mission is to unite the Dartmouth family in support of Dartmouth College and its mission. One of the ways we do that is by enabling alumni to participate in electing responsible and constructive Trustees and alumni organization leaders through fair elections. In this spirit, we will provide information to you that will help you understand the issues and will familiarize you with the candidates for any of the open governance positions. We have no role in the selection of candidates, but consider our role of energizing alumni to participate in the voting process critical to the welfare of the College. We urge all alumni to know the merits of candidates for office and to VOTE when the time comes."

Dartmouth Undying provides alumni with links to the Alumni Council's nominated candidates websites. One hopes that as soon as Asch receives the requisite petition signatures, Undying will provide a link to his site with equal prominence.

To DartBored's parallel suggestion that alumni be informed before voting, I recommend they take a few minutes to actually read and consider what Asch presents. Don't just look at the top pictures and blow off serious consideration. The section on the challenges facing all of higher education and the role of trustees was insightful, particularly the article by Judge Jose Cabranes.

By Tim Dreisbach '71, at 1/20/2010 9:12 AM
"At least the Hanover Institute will tell you who its organizers are"

Will it really? When required to in depositions, perhaps. But it won't tell you when it's endorsing them for AoA seats, and they won't tell you either. The group claims to represent all alumni and yet won't let alumni vote for anyone on the board (compare that to Dartmouth's board...), and it doesn't seem to have had a real board meeting in years. All its decisions seem to be made by its sole employee.

"What exactly is the "connection" between Mr. Asch and the HI anyway?"

I don't know of one, which is why I tried to suggest gently that John might have been mixing up Joe and Frank. Or he might have meant that they sort of go hand-in-hand without a formal affiliation.

More praise for Joe's petition materials: I am glad he focuses on real issues and leaves out "parity." I think "parity" -- which is something a trustee could potentially influence -- should be dropped as an issue by the AoA slates. Neither slate could promise to do more than ask the board to change.

Looks like the Hanover Institute's lawsuit has been dismissed. I thought it was wise for Asch to say after oral argument that the case was complicated and unwise for Zywicki to stake as much of his reputation on it as he seemed to.

By Scott, at 1/20/2010 10:11 AM
Scott: I am pleased we find commond ground in finding value in the content of Joe Asch's campaign information.

By the way, he did not leave out parity (and thus board composition) as an issue. He merely stated the lawsuits used resources unnecessarliy (as AoA petition candidate Murphy also acknowledges) and that the trustees should honor the 1891 agreement regardless as to whether or not it was a legal contract.

In fact, I can personally attest that Joe was the very first of 67,000 alumni to realize that the trustees intended to alter the balance of the Board, in a "did the Chairman of the Trustees really just say that?" moment two years ago in Dartmouth Hall. I know, as I sat next to him. Joe feels strongly, as I do, that alumni participation in selecting trustees, and having those so selected comprise half of the Board, is of long-term benefit to the College.

By Tim Dreisbach '71, at 1/20/2010 10:33 AM
You're right, he didn't leave it out. I meant to say he didn't focus on it.

I think that whatever our opinions on the value of letting alumni select at least 5/12 of the board, the job of writing the rules governing elections clearly remains with the board. That's why I don't think it should be an AoA election issue.

By Scott, at 1/20/2010 10:54 AM
To my comment on the 20th above, Dartmouth Undying informs and provides links to the AoA slate of candidates for AoA officers, but makes no mention of the opposing petition slate.

This is a direct violation of the Undying group's stated mission, to inform without taking sides.

The HI makes no bones about its political role. Undying wants to have a similar influence for their candidates, apparently without the honesty to admit it. We look forward to Undying giving all candidates equal visibility, or their issuing a revised more-accurate description of the Undying mission statement they are using to attract "supporters" and thus maintain credibility.

By Tim Dreisbach '71, at 1/24/2010 3:23 PM
I can't find where DU states that its mission is to inform without taking sides.

The HI, on the other hand, has told the IRS that its primary exempt purpose is to publish a newsletter and "Inform Dartmouth College alumni about important matter relating to Dartmouth college."

That statement doesn't obviously justify politicizing the process (or suing Dartmouth, or meeting with The Caucus, or misleading alumni about the HI's role in the AoA, or accepting litigation funding from outside foundations, or denying alumni their God-given right to vote for HI board members...).

By Scott, at 1/25/2010 3:04 PM
DU says they are "independent", whatever that means. Kondrake and Replogle are members and so are Immelt and Oberg, two sitting trustees. All but two members of the Alumni Council Nominating Committee are DU members too. I'm glad we are one big, happy family.

By DartBored, at 1/25/2010 6:13 PM
Who's our daddy?

By Tim Dreisbach '71, at 1/26/2010 12:34 PM
Again, has anyone found any truth to the contention that DU's stated mission is to inform without taking sides?

By Scott, at 1/27/2010 10:59 AM
"we will provide information to you that will help you understand the issues and will familiarize you with the candidates for any of the open governance positions. We have no role in the selection of candidates..."

How can DU sincerely help alumni understand issues by identifying only some but not ALL candidates? Unless the real goal is to influence alumni to identify with and favor those candidates DU wants to win...

Rather than spend more time on DU, let's see what the candidates themselves have to say... ALL of them.

By Tim Dreisbach '71, at 1/27/2010 3:01 PM

Monday, December 21, 2009

Association of Alumni Announces Slate of Nominated Candidates

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