Crimson Key

The admissions office told members of the Crimson Key Society Friday that applicants responded favorably to their new campus tours, which now focus on student life instead of university history, at the admissions' office request.

"This news goes a long way," said Vanessa A. Davila '84, Crimson Key tour organizer, "towards easing our fear that the admissions office will stop using Crimson Key members as four guides. Davila added that one official had said Crimson Key tours would be given on a trial basis.

The Crimson Key had conducted tours independently until the admissions office issued a set of tour guidelines and began paying guides this fall.

Some members of Crimson Key perceived this as a move to censor candid opinions and present a one-sided view of the university.

Jeffrey A. Senger, Crimson Key Vice President, said that in a Friday meeting the admissions office assured members that they may appraise aspects of the university honestly, but also told them to maintain a "optimistic and enthusiastic" attitude.

One major concern of guides, Davila said, had been a written sample tour issued by the admissions office containing misleading statistical facts.

In the Friday meeting, Admissions Intern Carol Jackson went over the sample tour with guides and the heads of Crimson Key, agreeing that parts are misleading and should be omitted from actual tours.

The admissions office still insists, however, against the opposition of Crimson key members, on paying guides. According to L. Fred Jewett '57, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aids, this insures "greater quality control" than does a volunteer system.

"In the past," Davila said, "we were proud to tell people that we are doing this as volunteers to serve the university." Davila added that since there has been positive feedback on the new tours, she hopes to convince the admissions office to allow the same guides to continue as volunteers.