Reed May 01 full - Reed College

NEWS OF THE COLLEGE
Renn Fayre Reed union
On January 30 around
225 students gathered
with faculty and staff
members, as well as
several alumni, to discuss their
reactions to last year’s Renn
Fayre and express concerns
about the future of this Reed tradition.
Although tensions had
been high after last year’s report
of more than $15,000 damage,
the atmosphere was overwhelmingly
positive. Speakers focused
less on laying blame and more
on constructive suggestions for
improvement.
Student opinions varied widely,
ranging from safety concerns
and worry over “a bad vibe” to
definite hope for the future and
NEWS OF THE
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Alumni association president’s report
This is a time for celebration.
Seniors have finished
their theses and, after orals
and graduation, will enter
the world ready to make their
mark. Many alumni met with
Steven Koblik this spring, saw
the Campaign for Reed College
video, and heard about the continued
success of the college.
The faculty has grown almost
10 percent, a strong endowment
supports increased financial aid,
and new buildings are in use
for classes, student living, and
research. These are good times
for Reed College and its students,
faculty, staff, and alumni.
It’s important to say thank
you to the many people who
have made this possible. A big
thank you goes to President
Koblik for being such an able
leader during the past eight
years, bringing together the
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expressions of responsibility.
“Where is all the anger coming
from?” asked one student, voicing
an underlying question of
the evening. Already, however,
students expect a change. Many
think last year marked a low
point and that an attitude of
increased responsibility will
grow now that students have
recognized the problem.
The faculty members hoped
to see less dangerous levels of
excess. They expressed unease
at seeing students under various
influences and wondered
whether there was a place for
them at Renn Fayre. Staff members
wanted to help students
with sensible planning, and
different factions of the Reed
community to achieve great
things. Alumni played an
important role in leading the
college as trustees, alumni
board volunteers, chapter
volunteers, and donors. I want
to personally thank alumni
director Marianne Brogan ’84
for her able leadership in keeping
alumni volunteers focused,
energized, and empowered to
further the creation of a vibrant
alumni community connected
to the college.
We mustn’t get complacent,
though. There are still goals to
be achieved, and I ask each of
you to think of how you can
contribute your resources to
the betterment of Reed College
(and I’m not talking money
here, although I’m sure the college
would like that too). First
of all, go to campus and see
community safety reaffirmed
their commitment to protect,
not persecute, students.
The alumni offered suggestions
of fun and safe events
and were willing to work with
current students to recapture
the friendly spirit of their own
Renn Fayres.
Suggestions included more
restrictive passes, fewer guests,
fostering a tranquil night atmosphere,
moving events to decrease
damage, drug and alcohol education
from students to students,
increased volunteering for karma
patrol, creating more activities
for faculty and staff members,
and heightened student responsibility
for fellow students.r
what’s happening there; Alumni
College and reunions are a good
way to do this. You should see
what’s been, and continues to be,
created there. Then participate
in a chapter activity and meet
other alumni. You might not
know the others, but you share
a past that allows you to strike
up a conversation easily.
Volunteer your time at the chapter
level or national board level.
We are always looking for people
to assume positions of leadership.
Finally, stay tuned as the
alumni board continues to create
opportunities for interaction
with students, recent graduates,
and alumni of all eras. We know
Reed College is a special place,
and we all need to make sure
it continues that legacy.r
Sally Snyder Brunette ’83
sallyb@aa.net, 425/562-2670