Like most of us, I go through stages when I seriously doubt my decision to attend Dartmouth. We are lacking in so many respects up here in rural New England -- not enough social outlets, not enough people, not enough culture, and really not enough snow. And, to top it all off, we don't even have a mascot!
What comforts me in my gloomy hours is the knowledge that Dartmouth students are actively working to bring about positive change in our community. And so, I was extremely proud when I heard of the new initiative to finally find us a decent mascot. No more of this Big Green nonsense!
For those of you who are dangerously uninformed about important campus issues, let me enlighten you. The mascot committee is a serious endeavor for the serious Dartmouth student; it is a 40 hour commitment per week. Anyone can join, but the committee must take priority over all other commitments a student has. If you do not have 40 hours a week to spare, you and your organization can still participate and sponsor this worthwhile project by donating $100.
Let's talk inspiration; the last line of the blitz I received from the "mascot" account really sent me running to find out how I could help: "This is not a project for any single person. It is a project for Dartmouth!" I immediately checked out the web page, and was so moved by it's message: "The pride we as students take in this institution can overcome individual grievances for the betterment of what we all hold in common. The Alums tackled the challenge of The Will to Excel, now it is our turn to rise to the occasion." I wiped away the tears of joy, pulled on my Dartmouth Green sweatshirt, and went out to earn some money to donate to the cause. If only we had a real mascot, we could all be united again!
PLEASE. Give me a break. I'll stop with the sarcasm now since I am not very good at it anyway. But please, please, tell me they are not serious. Could the Student Assembly really not find more worthy and timely projects to devote so much time, energy and money to? Is a new mascot going to significantly improve the quality of life for most students on this campus? Hate to break it to you, but it ain't gonna make much difference to me. Yeah, I wouldn't mind a mascot, but I can think of some other issues which might deserve more attention before we rally the troops.
Let's take one simple example: the recently released report of the Committee on Standards, the college's disciplinary system. The report was sent to all students' HB's a couple of weeks ago. Since then, I have spoken with a number of students who have found it to be disturbing; they saw too many inconstancies in the values that the report appears to advance. If you have not seen the report yet, go find it and take a long, careful look.
The 1995-96 COS Report includes two cases in which students were separated from the College. Both these students had violated the Academic Honor principle.
Another case was described as follows: "Violation of the Standard of Sexual Abuse and Violence. The student was found to have had sexual intercourse with a woman without her consent. The woman's lack of consent was communicated both verbally and physically. Sanction: 3 terms."
The Preamble to the Dartmouth Community Standards of Conduct explains our need for disciplinary standards: "The purpose is not simply to punish misbehavior and to punish violations of regulations ... it is to educate people about behavior and traits of character that the community wishes to promote or discourage." So educating a student that cheating is bad takes longer than teaching them that rape is wrong? Is violating a woman less discourageable than violating an honor code?
I do not know enough about the particular circumstances of the case to pass ultimate judgment on the COS process. However, all the report gives me is a clear-cut description of a guilty rapist who merely got suspended for three terms, while a student who cheated on a test was kicked out.
I know of women on this campus who have had to endure the return of the man who violated them after several terms away; who have had to endure him being in the same classes, eating in the same dining halls, spending time with the same friends. And all this time, knowing exactly what he did.
So, I can't help but distrust the judicial system at this College. The message this report is sending to victims of sexual assaults, and to concerned students, is that our College has a double standard for crimes against members of the community. Women (or men) who have experienced sexual assault or abuse cannot be confident that if they report their case, the offender will receive the punishment he deserves.
I hope this strikes most Dartmouth students as a situation slightly, just slightly, more important to address than our lack of a mascot. I guess I am doubting my decision to attend Dartmouth right about now, so I would like to make the review process of the COS report a "project for Dartmouth." The College wants student input on the matter, and I have been asked to round up some people who want to give it, so please get in touch with me. Now it is our turn to rise to the occasion.