To the Editor:
Dartmouth College does need a mascot, and the character to fill that position might well best be the moose. However, let it be a decision made by the Dartmouth community.
In the article which appeared in Monday's edition, the Big Green Backers were quoted as saying that the moose was the overwhelming winner in a recent survey of the student body. I for one never saw this survey, and I was a member of the committee formed to choose a mascot reflecting the desires of the campus. The committee held one meeting, last term, and upon questioning of the Backers the only answer that was given was for us to "be patient." I have been patient, my only news on the mascot situation coming from the D, which wrote of the Backer's desires to poll the whole Dartmouth community before making any kind of decision. And now, the moose. It seems the decision has already been made, regardless of arguments to the contrary. If the choice has yet to be made, where are the other mascots? The list was long, including Dr. Suess characters, keeping the Big Green, the Yeti, the Woodsmen, etc., and yes, it had to be narrowed, but to go from 15 choices to 1, even to go from 4 to 1, should involve more than a vague guess at what Dartmouth wants as its mascot.
It's true; finding a mascot that reflects the varying opinions of the entire Dartmouth community is a difficult task, but the Backers took it upon themselves. Now they've got to do it right, or not do it at all.
