To the Editors:
A recent anonymous email entitled "Outing Club Crisis" makes the accusation that the Bowdoin Outing Club's (BOC) program is "dictated" by its staff and is no longer accountable to student members. We write in enthusiastic support of the Outing Club's structure and current Director and Assistant Directors.
In our experience, the administration of the Outing Club is extremely responsive to student initiatives and exerts itself to the utmost in realizing the visions of students. Moreover, as outdoor professionals, the expertise of the Director and Assistant Directors makes the Outing Club's unique and specialized programs possible: Telemark skiing, winter camping, climbing, sea kayaking, Leadership Training trips, whitewater kayaking, canoeing, and rafting. We have never found the environment fostered by the Outing Club officers and administrators to be anything but welcoming.
The letter makes the serious claim that the Outing Club administration has "embezzled" money and "misappropriated" funds. As active BOC members integral to the club's leadership, we emphatically deny this accusation. The anonymity of the original letter belies its claims, and we find it both suspect and irresponsible to make such serious accusations anonymously. We encourage an open dialogue about these claims, the leadership structure of the Outing Club, or concerns of any sort.
Sincerely,
Max Brandstadt '13
Adam Berliner '13
Bess Carter '13
Sarah Liu '13
Emma Nathaniel '12
Ethan Nonomura '12
Ryan Peabody '14
Miguel Reyes-Zaragoza '12
Jake Shorty '12