Tufts University - Jumbo Yearbook (Medford, MA)

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ADMINISTRATION Dr. Mead addresses the Tufts Class of 1970 at Matriculation Exercises on September 14, 1966. Leonard C. Mead Dr. Leonard C. Mead, appointed last year as the Acting President of the University by the Board of Trustees, is a man of many talents. He has been thrust into the difficult role of running a University without actually having the full authority to do so. His re¬ sponsibilities are as great as any full time President, but he is deprived of some of the accompanying privileges. As Acting President, Dr. Mead is unable to deal with major government and founda¬ tion agencies for the needed funds for University expansion because these organi¬ zations will not consider proposals except from a full time President. In this interim period then, Dr. Mead has taken the task of proposing a Self Study Program to be com¬ pleted in 1968 by Dean Campbell, which hopefully will outline in some detail the role and the goals of the University. Dr. Mead is also engaged in drawing up a list of the needed new facilities and their order of priority. “My goal is to try to line up the priority of present and future needs,” he says. These ‘‘future decisions” will be made this year and next so that the new President, to be chosen by the Board of Trustees this spring, will have a tentative list of goals and will be able to institute major steps to achieve them. Dr. Mead personally feels that what I ' ufts needs most is ‘‘people, not build¬ ings.” By this he indicates that there is a continuing search for new talent both in the faculty and in the student body. The recent trip by the Admissions Office to the West Coast is indicative of the new desire to spread the name of Tufts and to recruit students from all parts of the country. The fact that the percentage of enrollment from the State of Massachusetts has dropped below 50% for the first time is an indication of this new desire. His own wishes for the University are oriented along the lines of increased faculty salaries and financial aid. ‘‘I would like to have ten million dollars for faculty salaries and also enough to allow each student that needed financial aid to have it. I also would like to be able to give each student a single room, if he so wished.” Mead is people- oriented. He says, ‘‘It’s people, both stu¬ dents and faculty, that really make this place go.” Dr. Mead is concerned about the attitude of change prevalent today among the college youth, and says, ‘‘Students today are ac¬ tivists. I think that’s good.” He feels that the facilities of the Lincoln Filene Center, in connection with the work they are doing in Roxbury, provide an excellent opportunity for students to be involved in the real problems of life, to find a way to begin solving some of them. In spite of this new spirit of activism today, Tufts is still a strongly residential college with the attached stigma of condon¬ ing the ‘‘in loco parentis” philosophy toward students. Mead feels that Tufts and espe¬ cially Jackson should remain a strong resi¬ dential community, and says “It is what the parents want.” The subject of off campus

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IN MEMO RI AM my seed is sown now, my field is plowed, my flesh is bone now, my back is bowed, so hurry sundown, be on your way, weave me tomorrow out of today. tomorrow ' s breeze now blows clear and loud. i ' m off my knees now, i ' m standing proud. so hurry sundown, be on your way, and hurry me sun up from this beat up sundown day. my sorrow ' s song now just make break through this brave new dawn now, long overdue. so hurry sundown, be on your way, and hurry me a sun up from this beat up sundown day- hurry down sundown, get thee begone, get lost in the sunrise of a new dawn, hurry down sundown, take the old day, wrap it in new dreams, send it my way , . . his life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world,

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housing, which seems to be the main offshoot of this conflict between Jackson and the Administration, will not be resolved until the Jackson Self Study Committee submits its final report in the spring. The enforced dormitory living regulations for Jackson students are an integral part of a “residential college” and unless strong reason for change can be brought forth, the situation will remain static. Concerning the faculty, Dr. Mead says, “By definition they are the enemy but hope¬ fully a friendly enemy.” There has been much discussion this year by the faculty concerning their lack of participation in administrative decision making. Concerning this lack of communication, Dr. Mead says, “they always complain.” But hopefully this statement is in jest, and new steps will be taken to open a dialogue among the faculty and the administration. The problem of vision and insight lies with both the students and the administra¬ tion. Certainly in this complex society dis¬ cipline is needed, but the opportunity for growth should never be hindered. Mead has tried to balance student freedom against student responsibility and in some cases has done well. The new rule changes taking place at Jackson are a good example, but on the other hand, the theft of the pool balls from the newly opened Student Union showed an extreme lack of maturity and discipline among the students and as a result the Union was closed down. As Dr. Mead states it, “We want to give the students responsible independence.” Concerning the Alumni Funding Drive, Dr. Mead says, “We have to put the finger on the Alumni more intentionally, through active Alumni participation and face to face soliciting.” The lack of money at Tufts is the major stumbling block to an increase in the facilities. The proposed Behavioral Research Building and the Athletic Complex complete with hockey rink are just two examples of ideas which must remain dormant until more money can be raised both by Alumni and by foundation grants. The athletic facilities at Tufts are “not great, but then, we do intend to do better.” The other long range programs which are in the process of being investigated could all be instituted for about 100 million dollars. However, until we have this kind of money, Tufts will have to be content with its present plant, no mean accomplishment, as over 20 million dollars worth of improve¬ ments and new buildings have been achieved in the last five years, while maintaining the present size of the student body. Leonard Mead, both as Vice-President and, now, as Acting President has helped to bring this growth about. He has been dynamic, out¬ spoken, and above all honest on all issues, and it is to this kind of leadership that Tufts should aspire. Dr. Mead greets the incoming freshmen during their first hectic days on the Hill. “The aim of the University should be toward the preservation, trans¬ mission and creation of information.”