Quote:
Originally posted by PnguinTrax:
The Dartmouth
>February 15, 2000
>
>Dartmouth faculty votes 81-0 to end recognition of greek houses
>
>By Omer Ismail, The Dartmouth
>
>Monday night the faculty of the Dartmouth College of the Arts and Sciences
>unanimously approved a resolution, voting 81-0 to urge the administration
>and Trustees to withdraw College recognition from all Coed Fraternity and
>Sorority organizations once additional living space is made available.
>
>Recognizing that many Greek houses are independently owned, Associate
>Professor of Religion Susan Ackerman - who moved the resolution - told The
>Dartmouth that she hoped the houses would financially buckle without
>College support, if the administration accepts the faculty mandate.
>
>Faculty members argued that the system is a discriminatory one that can not
>be reformed, and called senior College officials to make the construction
>of new residence halls - which will enable the College to withdraw their
>support from Greek houses - their highest priority to ensure the
>derecognition occurs latest by June 30, 2005.
>
>Two faculty members abstained from voting on the resolution.
>
>Faculty members addressed a number of problems within the current Greek
system.
>
>Raising concerns that the CFS system is highly exclusive, professors argued
>that it does not conform but interferes, with the academic mission of the
>College.
>
>The Greek system "stands so antithetical to our academic message of
>openness," Ackerman said.
>
>Citing figures from the steering committee report which shows affiliated
>students tend to be mostly white and more affluent than other students,
>Ackerman called the system one of "power and privilege."
>
>Faculty members also said the Greek system promotes excessive alcohol use
>which interferes with students' academic work.
>
>Professor of History Mary Kelly said the number of students who have
>admitted to alcohol interfering with their schoolwork, to have blacked-out
>and to have taken part in "boot and rally" is disturbingly high.
>
>Faculty members said that the "substantial changes" to the Greek system
>recommended in the steering committee report will not reform the
>residential and social life at Dartmouth. They argued the complete
>withdrawal of College support is necessary.
>
>"The reality is that this is an unfixable institution," religion professor
>Kevin Reinhart said.
>
>Professors argued that plans to reform the system have been undertaken
>previously, all of which have failed to improve Dartmouth's social life.
>
>"Isn't it clear by now that reform has not and will not work?" comparative
>literature department chair Marianne Hirsch said.
>
>Faculty members expressed concern that even if the Greek houses are able to
>achieve the stringent requirement set by the Initiative recommendations,
>Dartmouth's social problems will continue to exist.
>
>Reinhart said ensuring that the Greek houses consistently maintain the
>standards will be a constant fight for the administration.
>
>English professor Tom Luxon had other concerns, arguing that the
>recommendations are sending the wrong message to the CFS houses.
>
>The administration is saying "that if they behave well enough, they can
>have the privilege of discrimination," Luxon said.
>
>The faculty of Arts and Sciences unanimously supported the principles
>behind the first three recommendations of the steering committee report -
>which call for the creation of a greatly enhanced residential cluster,
>other spaces and programs for general use and improving residential and
>social life for graduate students.
>
>The faculty agreed the residential cluster should serve educational
>functions as well as recreational, dining and social purposes. Some said
>the educational spaces will improve the out-of-classroom experience and
>encourage student-teacher interaction.
>
>Concern was raised about the costs of implementing the Student Life
>Initiative. However, College President James Wright assured the faculty
>that the Board of Trustees's decision on financing these changes "won't be
>at the expense of academic programs or the financial aid program."
>
>Before deliberating on the steering committee report, Wright also informed
>the faculty about the Trustee meetings held over the weekend - most notably
>the decision to increase the tuition fees by 3.5 percent for the 2000-2001
>academic year.
>
>The faculty voted 82-0 in favor of the Initiative last Winter term after
>the document's release.
>
>(C) 2000 The Dartmouth
|
I am a Beta Theta Pi alum from George Mason U. and my response to this topic is listed at this greek link.
http://mcrae.ca/greek/dischome.htm
Date: Sun, Feb 19 2000 16:08
Carrie, I agree that many other college campuses will be quick to make a stand on this issue. Whether it be postive or negative. Hopefully other college administrations will be less quick to judge the negative aspects to greek life. I have to question some of the comments made by those officials in the Darmouth Administration. Particularly Professor of Religon Susan Ackerman and her view. From what I have read of her opinion I think she really isnt objective and have the whole picture concerning greeks. Especially the good philanthropic and community service that greeks partipate in. Even those Beta Brothers of mine that excel in academics, sports, and live up to their responsibilities as Brothers. I mean it looks like they are quick to judge and point fingers rather than to work with the Greeks involved. To me it sounds like that administration is being rather discriminatory, pointing/blaming their negative opinions, not respecting/understanding/listening with a open mind what greek life is really all about and that it really should communicate better with that portion of the student body. I believe that my chapter at Darmouth is a very strong and sound chapter. In addition we also have a great chapter at DePauw. The house in Animal House I have heard was a Beta Theta Pi house too. I am sure though that other Fraternities have made that claim also though.
Kevin(Beta Theta Pi Alum) (George Mason '97)
>>
> Dartmouth faculty votes 81-0 to end recognition of greek houses
>
>
> "I wonder what kind of affect this will have on other campuses across the U.S. My understanding is that Dartmouth has one of the most actively Greek campuses, drawing a number of students & acting as the center of social life. (Of course, it's also been said that one of the writers of "Animal House" was a Dartmouth (and Greek) alum. Then again, I've heard the same about DePauw.)
>
> Other schools will definately be watching how they handle this, how the students react, and the results they get. And those administrators who are already anti-Greek may be quick to follow suit.
>
> Just a few thoughts"
> -carrie
Date: Sun, Feb 20 2000 21:38
Carrie, I think your right on the mark with everything you mention with this issue. Yes, GLOs do many things. As a member of Beta Theta Pi at George Mason we had an annual community service event where we would help out with the American Cancer Society raise money. One year I remember we partipated in a Witch Watch where we helped kids during halloween safely trick or treat. One year we helped with a Alzheimer's walk that was also done at the school. These are just a few things. I also believe that GLOs definitely make a great contribution to Student Govt. and believe that there have been GLOs at George Mason that have served in these roles. I do know that for George Mason being mainly a commuter school that the greeks there really do make many things possible for the school and make a impact on the student life. I can also say that because of George Mason being a commuter school that besides sports there really isn't anything other than academics or student clubs so Greeks really make a big impact on campus involvement. I think you make a great point about school pride and speaking from experience I believe strongly that greeks definitely impact school unity. Especially when it comes to rallying for campus activities such as a homecoming football game or a basketball pep rally. Yes, there are many misconceptions about the Greek Community. Well, this is all I have to say for now. Guess, I didn't say enough.
Kevin
> Carrie, I agree that many other college campuses will be quick to make a stand on this issue. Whether it be postive or negative. Hopefully other college administrations will be less quick to judge the negative aspects to greek life.
>
> Kevin
> "From what I have read about the situation, I agree with you. It seems like the administration has done little, if anything, to try and ratify the situation (whatever it may be to them) without destroying a very important part of campus life. Many campuses take for granted everything that GLO's do, both for the campus and the community. How many GLO's participate and help out in how many events.. events that probably wouldn't be pulled off w/ out them? How many student government leaders are Greeks on your campus? How many times a year do the Greeks do things like donate to the homeless, help out kids who are less fortunate, etc. Not to mention I've seen several statistics (from reliable sources & research materials)that state that on average 80 % of alumni donations to universities come from Greek alumni. (Most GLO's intentionally try to foster loyalty to their school). We won't even begin to discuss the statistics on how many leaders, political or otherwise, are Greek.
> Let's face it, many college students are going to drink and do stupid things. With or without fraternities. My understanding from the letter Barbara posted was that Dartmouth intends to replace the housing offered by GLO's with similar housing for students (I assume they will have to meet certain standards, etc.) If they see a problem w/ the Greeks, who are goverened by national bodies and have a LOT of people to answer to when they screw up, I don't know how they think this will work. I can only imagine that similar relationships will form w/ the students living in this housing, although probably not as extreme. I'm sure these students will have their own 'rites of passage' for newcomers to the house. And they will party. Only these students won't be continually doing community service. They won't have the same networking opportunities as the Greeks there now do. And they won't have a national governing body who is checking in on them occassionally to make sure they are operating properly & in a ma> nner that makes the fraternity/sorority proud.
> I think the administration at Dartmouth simply has a misconception about Greeks, Greek life, and the ideals these students uphold daily. Yes, there are some who are just there to party and they slip through somehow. But these students exist on the campus regardless of the presence of GLO's.
> Anyways, that was longer than I intended, so I'll stop while I'm ahead!"
>
> -carrie