To the Editor:
Four months ago, a joint Hanover Town/Dartmouth College committee asked the Office of Residential Life to invite a few active members of the Dartmouth Greek system to join them in discussing the Greek system's policy on Hanover High school students and Greek parties.
The committee was led by Dena Romero from Hanover High School and was composed of parents, teachers, and a diverse body of distinguished community members including Class of 1997 Dean Teoby Gomez; Julia Griffin, Town Manager; Nick Giaccone, Hanover Police Chief; and Uwe Bagnato, Hanover High Principal. Over half a dozen leaders of the Greek Community attended the first meeting and discussed methods of preventing unauthorized entry into Greek Houses.
The meeting gave the Greek system a chance to bluntly state to the committee that we do not want nor do we tolerate high school students entering our houses during social events.
At the end of last term, it was decided that the Coed Fraternity Sorority Council would draft a letter to be distributed to all high school students and their parents explaining our position on the issue.
In addition the letter would give the CFS an opportunity to explain a new hand-stamping policy which will be used on a trial basis this term. Marking the hands of all students who enter a house legally will facilitate the identification of people who did not enter through the front door and give the house a chance to remove these unwanted guests.
The Dartmouth Greek system commends the committee for its proactive step in inviting Greek leaders to an open discussion of the issue and for the trust it showed to an organization which comprises 60 percent of all eligible Dartmouth College students.
This issue is a perfect example of the immediate positive results which can be achieved through cooperation with the CFS and should serve as a model for any discussion of Greek related issues.
The CFS realizes that the new hand stamping policy will cause a slight inconvenience to students who visit Greek houses during social events but asks the entire Dartmouth Community for their cooperation and patience with this endeavor.
