Even though Hanover and Washington, D.C. are separated by more than 500 miles, it occasionally seems like the two are much closer because of the politicking at the College.
Dartmouth and Washington do have a connection -- Dartmouth is the place were Secretary of Labor Robert Reich '68, former Senator Paul Tsongas '72 and one of the most famous Secretaries of State, Daniel Webster, Class of 1802, got their starts.
Students say political debate is thriving at the College, though there are no pressing political issues at the time.
"There's definitely a healthy debate going on," said Brandon del Pozo '96, a former conservative columnist for The Dartmouth who picked up campus politics by joining the Student Assembly this year.
"There are people who just discuss issues and there are the people who aren't just happy discussing it," he added.
While many people have the impression that Dartmouth is extremely conservative and closed-minded, students involved in campus politics say they find the exact opposite.
"I don't think this school is so conservative," Summer Student Assembly President Grace Chionuma '96 said. "It is moderate and open-minded."
Del Pozo, who was at the forefront of defending the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corp just as the College was thinking of eliminating it because it discriminates against homosexuals, said some students are conservative but most are moderate and are interested in debate.
"If you come to Dartmouth expecting people subscribing to those conservative, traditional images you will be upset," he said. "But you will be able to find a group who have that image."
The Board of Trustees eventually decided to keep the ROTC program at the College, sparking a protest in front of the Parkhurst Administration building.
In the past year, political debate -- both in the Assembly and outside -- has encompassed national issues such as the elimination of ROTC and condom distribution, and also included campus issues such as a proposed all-women dormitory and Dartmouth Dining Service meal charges.
"If you like politics, this is definitely the campus for you," said Tim Young '96, an Assembly member and former president of the Young Democrats club. "There is a framework for you to get involved in here."
Young said students often debate what the nature of the relationship between administrators and students should be.
He added that he does not think that all issues are cut down the middle and divided between Republicans and Democrats. He said many issues that arise on campus are "cross-political."
But Chionuma said she does not think that there is much debate outside of the Assembly.
"That's unfortunate," she said. "There are discussion groups, but SA is the main place where policy debates that take on a political nature take place."
One issue that is often debated outside the Assembly is the merits of the College's Greek system.
Almost everyone has a firm opinion about the Greek system, and since the debate encompasses sexism, exclusion, alcohol abuse and intellectualism, the debate is heated.
Last year's Assembly President Nicole Artzer '94 said she thinks the Greek system will be a major issue this year.
"There is a very clear idea of antagonism building against the Greek system," Artzer said. "Definitely from the administration and to a lesser degree the students."
But she said she does not expect any substantial decisions to be made in the near future.
"It would be too radical a move for the Trustees and alumns to come in and remove the Greek system in one term," she said.
Director of the College News Service Alex Hupp e said that while he hesitates to "crystal-ball gaze," he also believes that the debate about the Greek system will take a few more turns before coming to any conclusions.
Hupp e said he expects students to vigorously debate the proposals put forward by the Committee on the First-Year Experience.
The Committee on the First-Year Experience, created and chaired by Dean of the College Lee Pelton, made many recommendations that could drastically affect life at the College. One of its proposals is to create all-freshman dorms.
"The Committee on the First Year is going to be the biggest topic of discussion," Artzer agreed. "Although the committee has been disbanded, I think students at large have had their interest aroused and student opinion is being looked for by the administration."
Hupp e added that no matter what the outcome of the committee's proposals is, "it will profoundly affect the direction Dartmouth will take in the future."
Staff writer Maggie Fritz contributed to this article.
