Salem College is an independent college committed to the liberal arts and quality professional preparation. Salem strives to set its signature upon its students by encouraging them to recognize and strengthen their human faculties and their capacities for service, professional life and leadership. In light of the evidence that such powers flourish when women live and learn within a community dedicated to their education, Salem affirms its commitment to young women in a residential setting.
Practically everything that is known about Salem life and traditions to the outside world comes directly from the institution itself. This is largely due to active encouragement of a spirit of [[isolationism]] and [[exceptionalism]] by Salem's administration, justified by Salem's groundbreaking history and highly unique traditions. Other contributing factors include Salem's technological [[backwardness]] in comparison with other colleges and universities (for example, registration for classes is still accomplished with pen and paper).
This contributes to interest in Salem by lending itself to an aura of [[secrecy]] much like that surrounding [[Area 51]]; hovever, this trait of Salem's also works against it, making its [[reputation]] outside the immediate geographical area virtually nonexistent, historical milestones notwithstanding.
