Letter from WCAA Alumnae Trustee Candidate Ann T. Mamillan
June 2003
Dear Wells Sisters,
The Alumnae Trustee election results recently revealed at reunion send a strong message
to the entire Wells College community. In a record breaking election, only fifteen
votes separated two candidates (492 to 507), with 59 ballots rejected as invalid
during an unobserved ten-hour counting process.
In supporting my candidacy for Alumnae Trustee, 49.25% of participating alumnae voted
for change. They asked for a new voice on the governing boards of the College and
the Alumnae Association; not a voice selected to serve as a spokesperson for the
administration, but a voice able to speak for the large and growing number of alumnae deeply
concerned about the decision-making process at Wells College.
While at reunion, I listened all weekend. One of the most powerful themes I heard
repeatedly from alumnae, staff, faculty, students, and villagers was a need for approachable
Trustees on the Board. The community echoes my desire for the communications divide to be bridged, for Wells' governing process to be more open and forthcoming with
answers to our questions, and for meaningful action to be taken in response to our
concerns. Nearly half of the voting alumnae and many others in the Wells Community
will look to our newly elected Alumnae Trustee to respond to this need.
Many alumnae share faculty concerns expressed by the APPC and the AAUP about the future
of tenure and the integrity of academic programs at Wells. Over 1,000 alumnae support
a petition opposing aspects of the Master Plan for Campus Development. Some alumnae are disturbed by the college's heavy-handed actions in the village. Some see
the administration's response to dropping enrollment and rising attrition as inappropriate
and ineffective. Facilitating the rebuilding of a thriving, vital Wells community
is going to take an open, thoughtful exchange of ideas and the acceptance of diverse,
informed opinions. I look forward to participating in this process in any way possible.
I sincerely hope the WCAA Board and the Alumnae Relations Office carefully consider
their role in this process. Continuing to label dissent as disloyalty, to dismiss
valid questions as personal attacks, to reject all meaningful discussion, and to
prohibit a full spectrum of opinion in the "Express" will only increase the depth and breadth
of disaffection among the alumnae.
To all the women who made up that 49.25%, thank you for your support. To my awesome
campaign team, thank you for the countless hours spreading the word of my candidacy.
To those who didn't vote, we hope you will participate in next year's election.
To those who voted for my opponent, please be mindful of the narrow margin by which she
won. To those who cast an invalid ballot, please be sure to sign the envelope next
time. Have a great year and I'll see everyone at my 20th in 2004!
All the best,
Ann T. Macmillan, MS, Wells '84
http://annmacmillan.tripod.com
Ann is the great-granddaughter of Kerr Duncan Macmillan, president of Wells College from 1913-1936.
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