To the Editor:
As reported in The Dartmouth ("Senior class marshals announced," April 27), of the eight Class Marshal positions, the Senior Executive Committee kept five of them for themselves. If they have not already come to this realization (and I hope they have) that this is shameful, self-promoting and audacious. As "leaders" on campus, the SEC should be disappointed in themselves, as I am sure the rest of the Class of 2006 will be.
By being "elected" a part of the SEC, they have already secured a position of leadership and prestige for the next five years. However, by virtue of these selfish and dubious actions they have now called into question their ability to serve as fair and just representatives of our great and diverse class.
For four years, the members of the Class of 2006 have worked hard at and been fostered by Dartmouth College in order to become a class full of individuals and leaders. As our Dartmouth experience comes to a close, we should be celebrating the fact that our class is comprised of so many students who deserve the chance to be recognized for their achievements at the college that has given them so much. Instead, the SEC has taken it upon themselves to use their new found position of power for nepotism by appointing five of their own members to positions for which they should not be eligible.
Commencement is a celebration of the achievements of all the members of our class, not an apotheosis of a select few.
However, this biased selection process whereby the SEC -- with its own questionable selection and representation process -- chose Class Marshals behind closed doors highlights the delusional belief that they can represent the class better than any other members of the Class of 2006.
Fortunately, the mistakes the SEC have made are not permanent. It is not too late for them to remove the laurel wreaths from their brows and the marshal's batons from their hands. I urge the members of the SEC to resign as Class Marshals and to re-vote on the positions in a public and transparent forum -- and I also wish to take this opportunity to formally remove myself from consideration for the position.
Remember, hubris is the fatal flaw that has brought down many men and women far greater than the "humble" members of the 2006 SEC; I can only hope that they hear what I, and I am sure, many other students, have to say on this matter, and that they will act honorably and accordingly.
