Alumnae Respond to Scripps' "Liberal Nature"
Why Scripps Should Take Note of Alumnae Displeasure
Christina Noriega
Last Updated: 12/29/09 Section: Campus News
Every year, Scripps phonathon callers contact thousands upon thousands of alumnae asking them to support the college's Annual Fund. Over the past few semesters, there have been several instances when a phonathon caller contacts an alumna who is hesitant to give, not because of the economic crisis, nor because she didn't enjoy her years at Scripps, but because of how liberal the school has become. "It's changed so much," one alumna explained. "I don't like it."
Though it is not clear whether such refusals are frequent enough to make a visible difference in the Annual Fund's income, students attest to coming across such alumnae. Many were described as being "very vague." None gave any specific reasons for their discomfort with the direction of the college, and few described what exactly they meant by "liberal." Small liberal arts colleges generally have a reputation for being liberal, but do these alumnae see anything so exceptionally liberal in Scripps that it would actually prevent them from giving to their alma mater?
The students who work for phonathon and have had a conversation with one of these concerned alumnae agreed that they were all of an older demographic, typically from classes of the 1950s and 1960s. It was not uncommon that these same alumnae had given regularly in the recent past, and very generously at that. One alumna stated that she had "personal issues with Scripps" and "issues with the liberal nature" of the school. "I'm a conservative," she said "and I believe that's the way to go." Although she had given $1000 in the previous year for her fiftieth reunion, the alumna refused to give anything this year.
So the question stands: are these alumnae seeing things in Scripps that really are different from other schools and, if their claims are valid, should Scripps take action to learn more about their concerns? Though there does not seem to be a significant overall decrease in giving as a result of these individuals, Scripps is generally very active in seeking alumnae feedback, and it may prove to the college's benefit to explore more about the political trend which is troubling even conservative alumnae more than usual. Scripps College was to be a place where women can engage in dialogue with those who think differently, and explore different views - conservative and liberal alike. Could it be that these alumnae feel that students aren't given enough opportunities to be exposed to issues from a conservative standpoint?
Though it is not clear whether such refusals are frequent enough to make a visible difference in the Annual Fund's income, students attest to coming across such alumnae. Many were described as being "very vague." None gave any specific reasons for their discomfort with the direction of the college, and few described what exactly they meant by "liberal." Small liberal arts colleges generally have a reputation for being liberal, but do these alumnae see anything so exceptionally liberal in Scripps that it would actually prevent them from giving to their alma mater?
The students who work for phonathon and have had a conversation with one of these concerned alumnae agreed that they were all of an older demographic, typically from classes of the 1950s and 1960s. It was not uncommon that these same alumnae had given regularly in the recent past, and very generously at that. One alumna stated that she had "personal issues with Scripps" and "issues with the liberal nature" of the school. "I'm a conservative," she said "and I believe that's the way to go." Although she had given $1000 in the previous year for her fiftieth reunion, the alumna refused to give anything this year.
So the question stands: are these alumnae seeing things in Scripps that really are different from other schools and, if their claims are valid, should Scripps take action to learn more about their concerns? Though there does not seem to be a significant overall decrease in giving as a result of these individuals, Scripps is generally very active in seeking alumnae feedback, and it may prove to the college's benefit to explore more about the political trend which is troubling even conservative alumnae more than usual. Scripps College was to be a place where women can engage in dialogue with those who think differently, and explore different views - conservative and liberal alike. Could it be that these alumnae feel that students aren't given enough opportunities to be exposed to issues from a conservative standpoint?
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