Last Thursday and Friday, The Daily Campus published two excellent articles by Brenda Gonzalez that examined academic life at SMU. In Friday’s article, “SMU losing its best students,” I am quoted by Ms. Gonzalez as saying, “SMU is too easy academically,” a statement which might seem very elitist and arrogant to many readers. As Barack Obama found out the hard way on Tuesday, “elitist” is a descriptor no one wants connected to his or her name, so I owe you an explanation.

First, let me state upfront that Ms. Gonzalez did not misquote or distort my words. I fully support her research and critique. However, after talking with several students and faculty about her article, I now realize that my statements need some clarification. SMU is a wonderful school with a distinguished past and a bright future. However, it is also a school that is failing its students in several critical areas.

First, SMU does not have a common intellectual experience that unites its students and meaningfully connects them to the institution. Because the GEC does not provide a common curricular experience, students must create their own community out of a hodgepodge of different classes and activities. Even the two semesters of rhetoric that everyone must take during freshman year differ wildly from section to section. Often, the lack of a central intellectual experience causes many students to seek out the only real university-wide community available here: the Greek system. Sororities and fraternities readily provide a sense of connection, belonging and ownership, but these are needs that students should be getting first and foremost from their academic discipline.

Second, SMU does not reward its faculty for excellent teaching as highly as it does for frequent publishing. Like every other university in America that aspires to be in the “top tier” (i.e., the top 50 universities as ranked by U.S. News & World Report), SMU places more emphasis on research than it does on educating its students. Pay raises, tenure and other career incentives are too often heavily weighted to recognize publishing, not teaching. Undeniably, part of the challenge in rewarding teaching is the fact it is difficult to quantify; research output is much easier to gauge. But the incessant push for more articles, better books and greater name recognition often overshadows SMU’s central mission: the education of its students.

Thirdly, it is too easy for SMU students to be apathetic. Yes, indifference is a choice; one chooses to take interest in their studies or surroundings. However, if SMU’s educational experience isn’t magical – by that, I mean inspiring – shouldn’t it be ashamed? Students individually pay more than $100,000 to attend classes here over a four-year period; don’t we deserve an experience that is worth the price tag? I firmly believe that even the most slothful student has a tinge of interest in something, even if that interest is only to preserve its lazy state. The challenge for SMU faculty, staff and administrators is to create an intellectual experience that will motivate, empower and stimulate every student. Perhaps I’m just a foggy-eyed idealist (which is much better than being an “elitist”), but I think SMU should be in the business of changing lives, unleashing personal potential and invigorating hope. Classes at SMU that do not inspire, do not challenge or do not awaken its student are “too easy” – for that I am unapologetic.

Thus, the thrust of my published comments is this: SMU needs to do more to make its academic experience the center of every student’s experience. SMU needs to be a life-changing force in each of its students’ lives. I believe that can happen only when the GEC is overhauled to provide a common intellectual experience and faculty members are rewarded for good teaching.

I agree with Dr. Foster’s comments: SMU has the capacity to provide an experience as rich as any other school in the country. I apologize wholeheartedly if my published comments insinuated an air of superiority or pomposity – I am certainly not above SMU, and its classes are certainly not beneath me. However, I will not apologize for expecting more from my alma mater. The greatest expression of compassion is often criticism, and I will always hold SMU to a lover’s standard.

Todd Baty is a senior music major. He can be reached at [email protected].