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Schools & Program
Visits - Oct, 1996 Issue #42
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RIPON COLLEGE
Visit by: Tom Bratter, President
The John Dewey Academy
October 3, 1996
413-528-9800
Carole and I attended Paul B. Ranslow’s presidential inauguration at Ripon
College. Ripon is a small liberal arts college with 800 students, wanting to expand to 900 students. Classes are small. Since geographically
isolated, professors spend their time interacting with students rather than doing research and serving as consultants. We were impressed
by the quality of instruction and caliber of students. While no college campus is drug or alcohol-free, Ripon comes close. 21 year
olds can drink in their rooms, but only if the door is closed. They cannot walk around with a glass or beer can. Resident assistants
take seriously their mandate not only to ensure there are no alcohol abuses but also to improve the quality of life, so there is respect
for the rights of others and property. Dorms are neat and clean. The grounds were well kept. There was a notable lack of pressure
to drink, do drugs, and perform other stupid, self-destructive acts. Sororities and fraternities are housed in the dorms, so the Greek
System is subdued. Ranslow, who was Dean of Admissions at Pitzer College, is a savvy, good guy who will work with Special Schools.
He has a well deserved reputation to be pro student so he will transform a campus which prizes human decency into a kinder and gentler
place. In town, there is a A.A. group. If Paul thought there was a need, he would encourage A.A. Ripon College might be an excellent
choice for a student who has turned his/her life around, but who might have trouble in a larger, more open university.
Copyright © 1995, Woodbury Reports, Inc. (This article may be reproduced
without prior approval if the copyright notice and proper publication and author attribution accompanies the copy.)
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