Volume CXXXIII, Number 5 October 10, 2003 f

Paradise lost

Anyone who has experienced the wonder of a Breckinridge visit can attest to the special atmosphere that pervades the estate. The opportunity to spend time there with classmates, professors, and friends has been enjoyed by members of the Bowdoin community for almost 30 years. It is an opportunity that is about to be lost.

The College's rationale for selling the estate makes sense, at least on the surface. Increased funding for professor benefits, public affairs, and lectures is certainly desirable. These are things we value because we have a lot of them.

We have only one Breckinridge, though. While the income from its sale will yield desirable funding for investments, is it not also desirable to maintain a place where people's experiences are uniformly rewarding? We believe it is.

The opportunities afforded by a Breckinridge trip repeatedly transform academic experiences by taking learning out of the classroom. Student organizations return rejuvenated and with a renewed sense of mission. The Breckinridge experience fosters community-building in a way that is simply not possible on campus.

The possession of a historic conference center on such a beautiful site sets Bowdoin apart from other colleges. Breckinridge's setting allows students to connect with material in a new way. Such connections are the hallmark of a liberal arts education.

For these reasons, we urge the College to consider Breckinridge beyond the bottom line. The money brought in from its sale will be spent on a finite number of academic developments. Once those funds are spent, Breckinridge will be gone. Even before the College finds a buyer, it should explore possible replacements for what has, for the last 30 years, been one of its true treasures.

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