Alumni Giving at Amherst

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/11/opinion/alumni-giving-at-amherst.html

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To the Editor:

Re “Amid College Protests, Alumni Are Less Fond and Less Giving” (front page, Aug. 5):

There is nothing new about intense discussion and protest of societywide problems on college and university campuses. At Amherst, they are part of the fabric and always have been.

Your article blames the objections of some alumni to campus protests — and a consequent fading of their fondness — for a decrease in philanthropic giving to elite colleges this year.

Regardless of the multiple factors that affect philanthropic giving in any one year, I know firsthand that alumni fondness for their alma maters does not fade easily. The loyalty, generosity and engagement of our alumni are indisputable and have persevered through many controversial changes, including the college’s decision to enroll women 40 years ago.

The support of our alumni allows Amherst to identify, recruit and develop talent, regardless of means, wherever it exists. It allows us to set and ensure that students meet the highest intellectual standards, while also providing a residential experience where they can bridge differences in background and point of view and develop openness and understanding in place of closed-mindedness and fear.

Alumni giving — of opinion and financial support — has always been critical to the college’s success. That has not changed, and it never will.

BIDDY MARTIN

President, Amherst College

Amherst, Mass.