Student and faculty panel addresses problem of intellectualism on campus

The University — intellectual, anti-intellectual or somewhere in between? This question is fueling the controversial debate over the educational atmosphere on campus that was recently sparked by the U-Council's open letter to the Council of the Princeton University Community.

The USG held an open forum on undergraduate intellectualism at the Frist Campus Center last night, undeterred by the administration's rejection of a proposal for an ad hoc committee on the topic.

"We want to lay the groundwork for conversations to follow," said Josh Anderson '04, U-Council chair and moderator of the discussion.

Anderson began by clarifying the purpose of the U-Council's letter. "Our intent with the letter was to simply raise the issue for discussion," Anderson said.

Based on conversations with members of the University community, Anderson and other council members concluded that the intellectual atmosphere "is not what it should be based on the abilities of students" and decided to seek reasons for the perceived problem.

Gathered in front of the display wall in Frist, audience members sat at small tables facing a panel of students and faculty. The panel included Michael Caravin '04, assistant politics professor and Daily Princetonian columnist Patrick Deneen, English professor and 'Prince' columnist John Fleming GS '63, U-Councilor David Gail '03, history professor Anthony Grafton, 'Prince' senior writer David Robinson '04 and U-Councilor Amy Saltzman '05.

"I suggested [in past 'Prince' columns] that the faculty could be doing more in relation to the intellectual climate," Deneen said.

Deneen also pointed out "indicators" of the lack of an intellectual environment — what he described as a "mutual nonaggression pact," in which students "don't take up too much" of faculty's time in return for good grades. This educational passivity only furthers the lack of intellectual exchange, Deneen added.

"Is there something going on on campus that needs to be changed? The answer is 'yes,' " Robinson said. "The fact that the issue keeps coming back illustrates to me that the problem must be addressed."

He said that while an intellectual life is "out there," it it is not as easy to participate in that life as it is to participate in social activities on campus.

Fleming said the University is an intellectual climate, but students have a "narrowness of intellectual outlook."

The lack of use and awareness of the Art Museum, orchestra and athletic events has been significant, Fleming said.

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Gail also pointed to the lack of diversity of opinions and beliefs among students as a potential cause of the problem.

Somewhat in opposition, however, Carvin spoke of stimulating conversation fostered even by the 'Street,' and argued that intellectual appetites are satisfied in different ways.

From the audience, opinions ranged from the single-mindedness of students only seeking an "A" to a reply that both students and preceptors have a responsibility to create a stimulating environment.

Other comments from the audience about solutions to the issue included the need for student-faculty meetings, more challenging classes, higher attendance at lectures and the use of office hours.

Three or more forums are expected to follow, focusing on different aspects of the intellectualism debate, Anderson said.