Alumni react to changes

by Chris Neubert

On the weekend of September 12, dozens of Grinnell alums gathered on campus to meet with students, participate in reunion planning, or just hang out in the dorms. This year, Alumni Weekend was not just a time for alumni to meet and plan reunions, but also a time to socialize, to reminisce and to evaluate the many changes Grinnell College has seen since their graduations.

The weekend was planned around one of the Alumni Council’s semi-annual meetings. In addition to the Council meeting, new alumni class agents and fund directors received training, the 2006 Reunion Committee met, and alums met with students to discuss career opportunities.

As a part of the Alumni Council meetings, students from SGA and the Student Alumni Association met with the 26-person Council to give reports and discuss issues around the campus. “It’s a very good dialogue when students bring concerns up,” said Rachel Bly ‘93, Director of Alumni Relations. “The council really feels involved in what goes on.”

New construction around campus was a hot topic for the alumni. “[They’re] are not a shy group of people,” said Bly. “They’re never going to hesitate to comment on things.” Despite some concerns, Bly said that most alumni comments were positive.

Audrey Howard Swanson ‘43 said she continues to be impressed with the quality of students that come to Grinnell each year. “Grinnell is a wonderful group of young people,” she said. Swanson also praised changes that had occurred since her graduation that didn’t detract from the quality of campus life or the education.

Rob Killion ‘90 said he was impressed that facilities built since his last visit seemed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. “The new administration office is just beautiful,” said Killion, who had not seen the college since his reunion in 2000. “I am also glad that East Campus is there. It’s good that overcrowding has been lessened.”

Killion expressed disappointment, however, with the transformation of the Forum Grill, commenting that the new changes lessened opportunities to meet with professors and socialize with friends.

Kirsten Plowman ‘04, also noted the cramped appearance of the Grill. “It’s a horrible place to study now,” she said. “It’s kind of disturbing. The grill area meshed with what was the Southern Express is not a good idea.”

According to Bly, disappointment with the Forum was a common theme heard from alumni after visiting the new Grill, and the issue was brought up in the student reports. “The Forum is a very special place to alumni,” Bly said. “And they’ll follow up on issues that are raised that they feel they have some control over”

The Alumni Council has helped students with campus issues before. Last year when students raised concerns over technology issues on campus, the Alumni Council created a technology committee to address any new problems. In response to Forum issues that students raised during the weekend session, Killion said “the council decided this was outside their scope.”

But that doesn’t mean the alums didn’t have advice for students. According to Bly, one alum, recalling sit-ins and protests during his college days, advised students that “if you don’t like it, do something about it. You need to know that you’ve got some power.”

Though Plowman expressed concern over changes in Dining Services and in the campus smoking policy, she emphasized that she was not opposed to all campus changes. “It’s okay for Grinnell to grow and change,” she said, “as long as they keep focused.”