The lost slogan says a lot about MCLA

A long time has passed since this school’s slogan read on the lines of, “A public school with a private atmosphere.”

(I can’t find it documented to say that slogan is exact and I’ve spent far too long and crossed far too many state borders to ensure that this is “my College, right from the start” to remember such a seemingly petty detail.)

So anyways, when and why did MCLA give up on showcasing that private school feel?
Possibly, liberal arts – which top-of-the-line private schools like the nearby Williams College and Amherst College – is going out of style. But why?

You can start by examining the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Pipeline Fund, administered by the Department of Higher Education and established by the Economic Stimulus legislation in 2003. Essentially, this bill says that schools will receive more state money for pursuing the science fields.

The College couldn’t ignore this opportunity, that’s for sure. How would MCLA compete with other schools for students without a state-of-the-art Science Center? If we don’t build one, we’ll lose all the science prospects to, let’s say, Bridgewater State University, who will complete its own $98.7 renovation and expansion project on it’s math and science building next year. (We’re not really unique to other public schools, we chase the money too – as we should.)

On that note, the project is pretty much free money (well, free taxpayer money anyways, I’m not quite sure if free money really exists) from the state for more educational resources and one hell of a PR campaign.

The groundbreaking ceremony, the public officials and the governor rolling into North Adams – it was just a big show and whole lot of free press for MCLA. All two of the local newspapers slapped a free ad on the front page for MCLA. Local news stations were there. Every story must have screamed, “Come to MCLA, we’re innovative!” It would be really bad business not to build this three-story, 65,000-foot Center for Science and Innovation (hopefully this school breeds a scientist who can come up with a catchier name too. I’m thinking something on the lines of Durkan Hall).

From an academic standpoint, this whole STEM thing is wonderful. The sciences are by far the most important fields heading into the future. Technology solves problems. Medical science expands life expectancies. Practical applications of science makes life easier. You can’t have your iPad without science. And it’s interesting to learn explore the deep depths of the world on a microscopic level.

But what about the rest of the departments? The English department, which personally drew me into the College, seems to be shrinking more and more. The arts must be a mainstay because of the proximity of Mass. MoCA and the city’s dedication to art, but you have to wonder if that’s the only reason the school is dedicated.

(Oh, and wasn’t this a teaching school at some point? Things fall to the wayside all the time I suppose.)

But is it possible to keep science, English and art all relevant? I think so, but the school needs to expand its student body so each department can be funded well enough to operate.

And odds are that means a more crowded cafeteria and maybe a need for more on-campus housing (or to the student body’s delight, an end of the three-year residency and meal plan requirement, which could make this a win-win).

The private school liberal arts feel is already fading fast. In just two years this school’s focus will be science. But with expansion the school can save all its attractions, but the small school appeal that still separates us from the rest might be lost forever.

Thanks to The Beacon’s Editorial board, staff and advisers for making this semester one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life.

Thank you Jen Augur for encouraging me to pursue in writing and print journalism. (It’s not dead yet!)

And most of all, thanks to you, the reader, for making all of this possible.

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