Professors, not bound by departmental constraints, find it easier to develop with colleagues new kinds of cross-disciplinary courses of study designed to meet today's needs. Interaction with faculty is fostered in a small-scale environment, especially accidental and unplanned interaction. For most students, one or two faculty members become role models, mentors of enormous influence who oftentimes become lifelong friends and colleagues. Similarly, the English professor who ruthlessly critiques student manuscripts is likely to be the kind of professor who emerges as a model of great influence. At small colleges, leadership can make a difference.
People can exchange information quickly.
Decisions can be made swiftly. Innovations can be implemented rapidly. It is far more difficult to alter the course of larger institutions. At small institutions leadership has a real chance to function. Smallness induces manageability and, above all, commitment.