Dear Ms. Patterson,
Since MONEY -- the lack of it, the desire for it, and the lust to have it -- seems to be the only thing which is moving this "SuperBuild" illusion forward, I feel as though I should tell you that if you do indeed shut down or sell the downtown colleges, Trent University will never see a red cent from me.
I could talk about the relationship that those of us who were members of the downtown colleges had with those special places, but it's probably pointless given that you would probably respond -- indeed, you already have -- that you are only "selling the downtown colleges in order to save the college system". Might I suggest you re-read 1984; such a beautiful example of doublethink deserves to be understood as such by the person who made it. I believe that you must actually, in your own misguided, pathetic way, believe that you are "saving" Trent. Or maybe you think that you will be seen as a hero and an administrative genius by those of your friends and colleagues who are also slaves to the BOTTOM LINE. W.O. Mitchell wrote that the prairies are nature's lowest common denominator. I would add to that; money-driven administrators are this university's lowest common element.
Are you people insane? The DECIDING factor for many of us to attend Trent in the first place was its downtown college system. We loved the division of departments and classes into individual and unique atmospheres. These in fact ended up being what we related to others and to ourselves when we tried to explain or think about what made Trent so special. In your drive to save money, make money, oh yes, give us money money, money, money, you have effectively turned your back on what, for most students affiliated with the downtown colleges, was Trent's most enduring legacy.
Oh, and it comes as no surprise that the colleges being targeted for shut-down are the same ones that are home to those economically-retarded subjects like Cultural Studies, English, and History. Why don't you tell us what you really believe: that the value of an education stems from how much dough you can roll around in when you're through. Cash, Moolah, Clams, Doneros. Do these words thrill you and the other administrative peons up by the river?
Well, they don't thrill me. No doubt you will write me off as just another limp-wristed-whining-n'er- do-well-Cultural-Studies-major from Peter Robinson College, intent on destroying your grand scheme to make Trent more economically efficient. Economic Efficiency. Now there's a phrase to make any top administrator squeal with delight. Unfortunately, the means you have chosen to get at this elusive but vital personal goal of yours has alienated many thousands of former Trent students.
Also, the lack of consultation you exhibited in hatching your scheme is offensive. It was only by luck that I happened to catch an e-mail sent my way by a friend who is also concerned with the destruction you are inflicting on our university. Of course, your reply is and will forever be, I suppose, that it would be "too expensive" to notify all alumni of your scheme by letter.
Right. $16,000 is far too much to waste on us. You've got bridges to build, soft-drink companies too appease and corporate sponsors to attract.
And, oh yeah, a university to destroy.
Let me reiterate: I will NEVER donate any amount of my own precious $$$$$ to the school if this plan goes through. And I've got some to give. Furthermore, I will recommend to my friends that they do the same. And you, Ms. President, although long gone from the administration by the time the spirit of Trent has left the building, will leave the legacy of having destroyed Trent University.
Yours in search for pecuniary salvation,
Noah Weisberg '96