Dartblog

Despite student confidence that swimming would be restored at the Sophomore Dock, the hammer came down the other day in a memo from the Dean of the College:

Safety Concerns about Swimming

As many of you may be aware, the swim docks were not installed on the riverfront this summer for safety reasons. A safety review revealed a combination of variables at the swim dock that pose potential risks to students, e.g. a water depth of 18 feet which quickly drops off to 25 feet, unpredictably swift currents, very low underwater visibility, and underwater debris.

In a joint message to students on Friday afternoon from the Dean of the College and student leaders (Student Assembly and Class Council), students in residence this summer were informed that we have reviewed alternative proposals and do not have viable alternatives for safe swimming at the swim dock location for this summer. We will be working with Student Assembly to form a Task Force to identify a long term solution. In the meantime, we have arranged for students enrolled this summer to have free access to the facilities at Storrs Pond, and are running regular shuttles on weekends. With the support of the Ledyard Canoe Club, students also have free use of canoes and kayaks through the end of the summer term.

The Task Force will need the support of staff and faculty with related expertise. Please email Campus Life at Campus.Life@Dartmouth.EDU, if you are interested in participating or have ideas the Task Force should consider.

Posted by Dean of the College, Dean.of.the.College@Dartmouth.EDU

However, nobody can say that the College is not responsive. A Task Force is working “to identify a long term solution.” Perhaps there is an agreeable body of water within walking distance of the campus that we have all overlooked during the past decades.

Still to come: Are there any statistics (any at all!) regarding health hazards encountered at the Sophomore Dock? Perhaps our data-driven President will conclude that after an over-30-year experiment in swimming in the Connecticut, the river is safe after all.

Note: Amazingly, the Dean of the College has not blamed the College’s insurance policy’s liability coverage for this change in policy. That strategy is a tried and true out for administrators casting for an excuse to justify a silly decision motivated only by a desire to save money.