<p>"(unless you and xanatos together represent dartmouth which i think most would hope isn't the case)"</p>
<p>With you, I also hope this isn't the case, but then I know it isn't. Just from recent postings I would have to defer to Kelsey08, Cinderely, AthenaNY, Raspberrysmoothie, Dartmyth, Willywonka, Themindofayn, (Xanatos) and others who have influenced my opinion on this subject.
I'm sure there are many and differing views amongst Dartmouth students on the future of Dartmouth. The only thing I know for sure is people vote with their feet. Everyone attending Dartmouth likely chose it for what it is, not for what others might want it to be, no matter how well intentioned. Research schools exist, they are in the majority.</p>
<p>However, I'm glad that I have been exposed to the opinion you hold on the issue. As I recall a poster named California1600 held similar views on the Dartmouth forum:</p>
<pre><code> "Right now, the lower Ivy League are taking steroids, altering true competition and talent, with students asking " whats the easiest ivy to get into?".
</code></pre>
<p>He felt research was the hallmark of an undergraduate school and that Dartmouth was an Ivy league school only inasmuch as it played football against Harvard, Princeton and Yale. What do I know? Maybe your combined critiques are correct.
But something tells me they're not.</p>
<p>Respect,</p>