Letters
John Golden ‘66
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Colgate University
13 Oak Drive
Hamilton, NY 13346
December 15, 2003
Dear John,
I have been following the developments resulting from the release of the New Vision for Residential Education with much interest. I understand the need for change in light of the new legal climate that all universities find themselves in. Unfortunately I have not been pleased with the position that the fraternity system must sell its properties to the university to meet these new circumstances.
Many years ago I redirected my donations from the university to my fraternity to help eliminate a financial gap created by the elimination of freshman rush. In the past few years I have been considering switching some of these donation back to the university. In light of the decision of the University not to embrace a long-term lease I will encourage my fraternity not to sell our house to the university. This will require increased efforts to obtain support from our alumni.
Many of my most significant leadership lessons came from my involvement in my fraternity. I continue to be disappointed at the inability of the University to recognize the immense value of this. The total cooperation of the AIFSC with the small exception of title of property seems to accomplish the needed goals of the NVRE. It is my hope the Board allows for this compromise in an effort to foster the alumni loyalty, and educational quality this University deserves.
William T. Noble ‘88