Despite the frigid weather, about 150 students, mostly members of the College's Greek organizations, gathered on the Green to participate in last night's candlelight vigil for acceptance and understanding to express their concern about incidents of intolerance at Dartmouth.
Sociology Professor Steven Cornish spoke first and led the candle-lighting ceremony, which was sponsored by Delta Delta Delta Sorority. The College's Greek organizations co-sponsored the event.
Nita Sarahany '97 and Kristin Kuroda '97, sisters of Delta Delta Delta, organized the vigil.
"This is the winter of discontent," Cornish said alluding to the rash of recent incidents of intolerance on campus.
"We light these candles as a symbol of hope," he said.
Following Cornish's address, members from each of the College's Greek organizations co-sponsoring the event, except for Beta Theta Pi fraternity and Delta Sigma Theta, the College's historically black sorority, spoke.
After quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson, Simone Swink '98, a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, said, "If we don't take personal responsibility, then nothing here or outside of Dartmouth is going to change."
Panhellenic Representative Abigail Roberts '98, who is a member of Sigma Delta sorority said, "tonight I set aside my own label as the representative of the Panhellenic Council and rejoin the group that includes all of us: those who share concern, curiosity, spontaneity and the passionate value of our intellect."
"Let us not devalue or shrink from our light," she said. "When we understand these as our fundamental values, we are powerful beyond measure."
Speaking for Theta Delta fraternity Jim Freeman '97, president of the Coed Fraternity Sorority Council said Dartmouth's biggest problem is apathy.
Sarah Cho '96, who represented Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, read a poem written by Jason Bunyan '98 titled For the Child.
"Your skin will be significant in how you are seen. It will speak, telling others where you are from and been," Cho read. "Energize your pride. Give you strength in times of pain. Cherish your skin like fortune."
Dean of the College Lee Pelton, who attended the vigil, said afterwards that the event was "wonderfully conceived."
Pelton said Greek organizations should play whatever role they feel is appropriate in alleviating social tension on campus.
"Individual responsibility transcends partnership in a social organization," he said.
Even if nothing more comes out of the vigil, he said, "Any occasion where people come together in support of ... the rest of the community is in and of itself a good thing."
"The College has a lot of work ahead of itself," Pelton said.
Sarah Paisner '96, a member of Delta Gamma sorority, said after the vigil, "I heard some "really good ideas tonight, but I just hope some action comes out of it."
Roberts said, "The size and diversity of the crowd is evidence that the Greek system continues to be a powerful and positive force that is committed to making the whole Dartmouth community better for all of us."
"Right now there is a rift between one side of Dartmouth and another," Cho said. "By having this vigil, [Greek organizations] are bridging the gap and being inclusive and showing that they are affected by incidents of intolerance."
