Davidson College Loses John Belk's Support

Parents Forum
81

<p>What small town? Davidson is located in the booming Lake Norman suburban area of Charlotte, NC. Shopping malls, gated communities, etc. </p>

<p>But, here are few small-town schools:</p>

<p>Williams: 69% white
Bowdoin: 76% white
Grinnell: 77% white
Dartmouth: 67% white</p>

<p>There is no way that Davidson could get to Williams' or Dartmouth's number. They simply don't have the national applicant pool or the endowment resources that would be required, reqardless of their intent. </p>

<p>However, something a little closer to Bowdoin's, Grinnell's, or even the notoriously white Vanderbilt's numbers would indicate a little stronger commitment to diversity.</p>

<p>From reading more about the recent Board debate, it is clear that I simply missed the degree to which Davidson is a parochial school. I assumed that its church affiliation was like that of Emory. But, it is clearly much stronger than that at Davidson. </p>

<p>That was probably my fault, although their advertising copy doesn't go out of its way to emphasize the parochial school aspect. For example, the descriptive tagline on all of the press releases makes no mention of their strong religious affiliation:</p>

<p>
[quote]
Davidson College is a highly selective independent liberal arts college for 1,750 students. Since its establishment in 1837, the college has graduated 22 Rhodes Scholars and is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country by "U.S. News and World Report" magazine.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The only mention of the religious affiliation on the website home page, welcome page, or "About Davidson" page is this single reference on the "About Davidson" page:</p>

<p>
[quote]
Founded in 1837 by Presbyterians, today Davidson enrolls approximately 1,600 men and women.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>They definitely would like to have their cake (an elite secular college drawing from a diverse national customer base) and eat it, too (a strongly parochial school). This board decision and the resignation of Belk is all about that fundamental tension in the direction of the school. In fact, the change to the by-laws was sold to the board and the alumni as being rooted in Presbyterian theology. The President of the college has called the recent board vote to change the by-laws as significant as the decision to accept non-white students.</p>

<p>Anyway, it's a fine school and I think the faculty, students, alumni and a majority of the remaining Board members are probably in favor of a bit more diversity.</p>

82

<p>The board vote was something like 31 to 5 in favor. That seems lilke pretty sweeping support to me. And yes, it is a fine school, and it deserves a lot more credit for its effort to move forward than it has gotten from some posters on this board.</p>

83

<p>
[quote]
Would you attribute the "whiteness" of the college to the bylaws?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yes, of course...along with the instituional priorities set by that board. Colleges don't end up the way they are by accident.</p>

<p>Elite US colleges were, at one time, 100% white and christian. All others need not apply. The only way that 100% number can change is through a decision of the Board to allow others to enroll and/or efforts to actively attract others.</p>

84

<p>Because our family is a year past the college application process, I only have a 2004 edition of PR Best 351 Colleges. Granted the numbers have probably changed upward for all schools concerned, but the information about African American enrollment is very interesting nonetheless. Here are the figures it presents on African American enrollment at a number of schools:</p>

<p>Amherst 9%
Bates 2%
Bowdoin 4%
Dartmouth 7%
Davidson 8%
Emory 10%
Haverford 5%
Swarthmore 7%
University of North Carolina 2%
University of Virginia 10%
Vanderbilt 6%
Wesleyan 9%
Williams 8%</p>

<p>Granted Davidson does not (yet) attracts Asians and other non-African American students of color in the same numbers as some of its northeastern peers. But it appears to be doing very well with its African American enrollment and its actions suggest that it is making a continuing effort to attract other minoirty applicants as well. </p>

<p>This is arguably tangential to the specific issue of anti-Semitism, but highly relevant to the issue of a school trying to reach out to a broader community than it has traditionally served.</p>

85

<p>Mattmom,</p>

<p>These numbers certainly change the perception of Davidson as a racist school; however, after all the strum and drang I would not expect any change in rhetoric.</p>

<p>African American enrollment: </p>

<p>Amherst 9%
Bates 2%...................
Bowdoin 4%................
Dartmouth 7%...............
DAVIDSON 8%<<<<<<<
Emory 10%
Haverford 5%................
SWARTHMORE 7%<<<<<<<<<<
University of North Carolina 2%..............
University of Virginia 10%
Vanderbilt 6%.....................
Wesleyan 9%
Williams 8%</p>

<p>These numbers certainly shed a new light on these numbers</p>

<p>Williams: 69% white
Bowdoin: 76% white
Grinnell: 77% white
Dartmouth: 67% white</p>

<p>So that means that in 2004, Davidson had, for instance, more Afro-Americans than say Swarthmore, Haverford, Bowdoin, Dartmouth, Bates, Vanderbilt and the same as Williams.
From this, you might think that there would be outrage on these boards over the racist secular policies of Swarthmore, Haverford, Bowdoin, Dartmouth, Bates, Vanderbilt Williams...amongst others, but I doubt it: not enough political fuel.
I wonder what interestedad will make of these racial numbers. Apparently, Asians are not enrolling at Davidson, I doubt this is due to some racial issue but rather other factors having nothing to do with segregation or religious persuasion.</p>

86

<p>interesteddad: I guess you were kidding about the booming metropolis of Lake Norman? I can never tell unless someone sticks up a smiley face for me. But Davidson is located in Davidson, NC, which only has something like 7700 residents (I think).. Check out the stats on Davidson, the town: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davidson,_North_Carolina%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davidson,_North_Carolina&lt;/a>
But I think your comment that change can only occur, in part, "with efforts to actively attract others"--well, yes, that part is true. And I do think they're working on that. It's not that certain students are being prevented (or not "allowed") to attend, it's just that I believe a school like Davidson would really only be attractive to a certain type of student. And I'm not talking race or religion here. Those who are attracted to Davidson are students who really desire a small school in a small town, who are very academic, studious, and quiet. That sounds like a generalization, but that's the type of student I meet who is 'turned on' by Davidson. So, yes, in order to make that campus more diverse, they would have to really get into marketing and recruiting (sort of like WashU). In fact, of all the dozens of college brochures that came to this house, right after the PSAT scores went out, I don't believe we ever received anything from Davidson. Yes, they can do more to make it more diverse, but I also believe that a large majority of smart kids would, perhaps, choose another similar type school (academically speaking), but maybe that was larger or in a city? My own daughter didn't apply there, because she simply felt it was way too small, and she didn't want to go to a school smaller in population than the high school she attended (and, in fact, not that much larger than the middle school she attended). Also, to attract students, merit scholarships help. I don't know what sort of endowments are there for that. I know the Belk Scholarship, but that's all. I assume there are others. Just my 2 cents..</p>

87

<p>My apologies to UNC--it is 11% African American according to the 2004 PR Best 351 Colleges</p>

88

<p>
[quote]
Elite US colleges were, at one time, 100% white and christian. All others need not apply. The only way that 100% number can change is through a decision of the Board to allow others to enroll and/or efforts to actively attract others.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Is it your belief, then, that an all-Christian Board isn't capable of making those decisions?</p>

89

<p>It would seem to me that, if there is to be a beef (at any of these colleges) , it should be about economic exclusivity, not racism or anti-Semitism. In those realms, some schools have stepped up to the plate, and some have not. </p>

<p>I guess I still don't really get it. I really don't know much about Davidson. Does it hide the fact that it is a Presbyterian college (if it is a Presbyterian college), and if so, why wouldn't a Presbyterian college choose to have non-Presbyterians on its board? (Quaker colleges have non-Quakers on their boards; don't know about Catholic ones.) I'm probably missing the subtext - wouldn't be the first time. ;)</p>

90

<p>mini: I'm with you--absolutely--on the "economic exclusivity." Seems to me that's the real divide.</p>

<p>Davidson does not hide the fact that it is a Presbyterian college; they advertise themselves as 'founded by Presbyterians,' and I don't really think they are a 'religious' school in the Georgetown sense (you know, crucifixes in every classroom) and--definitely not--in the Bob Jones University sense. I am guessing here..and maybe someone else already said this...is that the Board really wanted to ensure 'faith-based' board members (i.e., those who actively practice their religion--you know--went to Church more than on Easter and Christmas). And as a Presbyterian-founded University, would you necessarily seek out Muslims or Buddists to be active members of the Board? I don't know. That's pure speculation. </p>

<p>I'm actually much more disgusted by the kid who made 1050 (or so he said) on the SAT, with a pretty lousy GPA, who just happened to write a heart-wrenching essay ( or so he says) on how hard his lfe has been, and he got accepted into Brown. I'm all for diversity, but 1050 on the SAT? You can't tell me that Brown couldn't have created a diverse class (how does it go? ah yes... 'build' a class), without resorting to taking someone who made 1050 on the SAT. For heaven's sake. You get 200 points just by signing your name, don't you? Okay..well, that's a whole other topic, I guess.</p>

91

<p>Davidson continues to be affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA. It does not hide that fact; however, it also clearly states that it welcomes students, staff, and faculty of all faith traditions--it has students of various religions and degrees of observance and non-observance The board membership was previously limited to members of Christian congregations--but not just to Presbyterians. The new bylaws as I understand them allow for the board makeup to include up to 20 percent people who are not members of any Christian congregation (that is, perhaps people who have no formal affiliation but I assume more likely congregation-affiliated non-Christians, presumably Jews, Muslims, and representatives of other world religions).</p>

<p>mini, I don't think you are missing any subtext here--your earlier comments seemed quite on the mark to me. And interestingly, because Davidson is not only need-blind in admissions but also gives merit aid (including those dazzling full-tuition Belk Scholarships) it does provide opportunities for students to attend Davidson who might not otherwise be able to attend a private liberal arts college.</p>

92

<p>This is kind of interesting... Someone just mentioned to me that those bylaws were created in the 1950's, specifically to protect themselves from any Communists and atheists wanting to be on the Board. Hmm... the person who told me this seemed serious. Don't know if that's speculation on his part, but with the bylaws enacted during the McCarthy era, it makes sense. So now maybe the Communists and atheists can write in about how outraged they are :)</p>

93

<p>How many of you people have actually visited Davidson and/or talked to several of it's students and alumni?</p>

<p>It really isn't an outwardly religious school. You do not see crosses everywhere and people handing out literature. If you went to Davidson and did not know anything about the Presbyterian affliliation I doubt many people would have suspected anything with religion; it's just a school with its fair number of fairly preppy white kids.</p>

<p>Another thing, every admissions counselor I've talked to at Davidson has admitted that Davidson is not as diverse as they would like it. But the thing is, they aren't letting it stay that way. In recent years they've launched increased recruitment of minorities, especially African-Americans, and their minority base is increasing.</p>

94

<p>thiticalcrinkin, I've been there a number of times; I agree wtih your assessment and I'm glad you were admitted.</p>

95

<p>Actually, the Davidson African-American percentage reported on their most recent publicly available CDS forms (2003-04 academic year) was 6%. Starting from 4 members of the graduating class in 1981, I would give them high marks for progress in that ethnic group. Of course, that is also a heavily "christian" group. Groups that are less likely to be members of christian congregations (Jewish and many Asian-Americans segments) have very low enrollment at Davidson. That only makes sense with the strong parochial affiliation. </p>

<p>Swarthmore, BTW, has actuallly declined in African-American enrollment. They were at 9% in 1999, the last year before the decision to discontinue football. The percentage fell back to 7% within 2 years, where it has hovered since. This year's senior class is the first to have enrolled as freshman at a non-football Swarthmore. </p>

<p>Nationally, there is a strong correlation between African-American male enrollment and football recruits. For example, over half of the African American male enrollment at Rice consisted of athletic recruits in a recent study. 15 of the 96 blacks at Davidson are on the football team with Div I scholarships. </p>

<p>In addition to helping many members of the discontinued football team transfer to other colleges, Swarthmore saw its black freshman enrollment fall by 40% for the first two years after the football program was dumped. It has now bounced back nearly to prior levels. For example, it was 9.5% for the class of 2007. If that continues, the overall percentage at Swarthmore should start to increase again, but I believe that it will be an ongoing struggle to enroll African-American males.</p>

96

<p>
[quote]
Someone just mentioned to me that those bylaws were created in the 1950's, specifically to protect themselves from any Communists and atheists wanting to be on the Board

[/quote]
</p>

<p>According to several sources I read, that particular bylaw was created in the mid-1960s.</p>

<p>This coincided with the college changing its hiring practices for faculty. As the college moved away from its close ties with the Presbyterian church, it relaxed a requirement that all professors be Christian.</p>

<p>Incidentally, the same sources indicate that while Belk resigned from the board and doesn't plan to give new $$, he intends to continue funding the scholarships awared in his name.</p>

97

<p>
[quote]
It really isn't an outwardly religious school. You do not see crosses everywhere and people handing out literature. If you went to Davidson and did not know anything about the Presbyterian affliliation I doubt many people would have suspected anything with religion; it's just a school with its fair number of fairly preppy white kids.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>We visited. For exactly the reasons you describe and because the parochial affiliation is downplayed to the point of being non-existent in the marketing materials, we were certainly fooled. </p>

<p>My wife actually picked up on it first, when she and daughter came back from a Davidson recruiting function in Boston saying that all the alums talked about was the church retreats they had been on. Even so, I had no idea until this thread just how strong the parochial affiliation really is. I mean, the school markets itself as a secular college. </p>

<p>To be perfectly honest, this week is the first time I ever would have thought of the need to see if a top-rated liberal arts college had a written ban on Jewish board members.</p>

98

<p>
[quote]
a written ban on Jewish board members.

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</p>

<p>I believe this is an unfair characterization. </p>

<p>Jews, muslims, buddhists, atheists, and unaffiliated christians are excluded by incidence. This is something different than the malice of a bylaw that reads "NO JEWS."</p>

99

<p>Once again, CC has been very important as a source of information. Davidson is now off of S's list. I have no problem with what appears to be the nature of the school. It would just not be the right place for him. This did not reveal itself to me in all the research I have done up to this point. This thread DID show me the true personality of the school. Again- the right place for many bright kids. Just not for S.</p>

100

<p>Hoedown, who is kidding who? </p>

<p>I grew up in the South in the mid-1960s. I know exactly why there was the sudden need to add that written bylaw 130 years after the college was founded. Of course, it was written in a way to provide "plausible deniability".</p>

<p>Trust me, the black head of the Davidson alumni group who helped spearhead the vote to get rid of the bylaw knows exactly why it was written, too.</p>

<p>From the Charlotte Observer:</p>

<p>"[Hanna is] a Christian, he said, but as a black man, he couldn't support a part of the bylaws that seemed to tell certain groups of people they were good enough to pay their tuition and attend the school -- but not to help govern it."</p>

<p>Just to be clear. I applaud Davidson for having the guts to kick old man Belk to the curb over this issue. It does speak well for the President, the alumni group, and the majority of the board members. It's obviously been a battle that has been waged for a couple of decades.</p>