To the Editors:
As an alumnus, I read with interest the story regarding Professor Goldstein and his study ("Investigation of professor's study draws to a close," April 17; "Study examines grade inflation, athletics," April 17).
While I could not find his study on the Internet, and so cannot comment on its details, I understand that one of the main points concludes that Bowdoin is of a lesser quality due to extensive grade inflation.
I would suggest that the average quality of students at Bowdoin has improved over the last half-century. The increase in average grades may be explained by a higher percentage of students doing high quality academic work, not lesser standards.
In my service as an alumnus doing interviews for the Admissions Department (Bowdoin "BASIC"), and as Chairman of Rhode Island BASIC for several years, I have been stunned at some of the truly exceptional applicants who have been turned down by Bowdoin. While one must be careful in drawing conclusions from such a relatively small number of applicants, my conversations with some long-term faculty members at my 25th reunion confirmed my suspicions. They all agreed that today's student body has a higher percentage of top students than in my day.
And as a former varsity athlete at Bowdoin (captain of the squash team in my senior year), I am insulted by the notion that involvement in sports implies a lack of academic interest or achievement. Sadly, that may often be the case at Division I educational institutions, where the time demands of varsity athletics are so much greater, but it was not my experience at Bowdoin in the late '70s; nor, do I believe that it is so today.
In summary, I am shocked by Professor Goldstein's behavior with respect to prospective students and their families. I also am suspicious of the validity of his work on this subject.
Sincerely,
Benjamin H. Walker Jr., MD '80
Portsmouth, R.I.