To the Editor:
In the Monday, March 31st issue of The Dartmouth, there were two separate mentions of the differences in the number of people who chose to run for Green Key from the '98 and '99 Classes. The fact that last year there were 19 '98s on the ballot compared to this year's 71 '99 candidates was cited as a specific example of the apathy within the Class of '98. By only using numbers of candidates, you overlooked several important elements of Green Key, and the '98 delegation in particular, that would have served as examples of involved, dedicated '98s.
Only twenty members, or a third of Green Key's total membership, are elected through class-wide elections. The other 40 members are elected or appointed to Green Key from a variety of student organizations. These organization slots allow people to become active in Green Key without going through the traditional ballot approach and encourage a more diverse membership. We wish all 71 candidates the best of luck, but also hope that those who are not successful in the election and interested '99s to consider these organization spots as another route to being in Green Key.
The slow beginnings of the '98 delegation are a poor representation of the delegation as a whole. This delegation has had one of the most active years in Green Key history. The '98 Green Keyers have consistently helped the College with such events as Matriculation, the 25th Anniversary of Coeducation and the Capital Campaign which ended this past fall.
Given that we are one of the few groups solely comprised of 98's, it was disturbing to see the election situation from last spring mentioned with no qualification of the enormous amount of time and effort our delegation has given the College. The juniors in green shirts and khaki pants might fade into the background at times, but our dedication and commitment to the College should not be measured solely by past elections.
The large number of '99 Green Key candidates is evidence of the strength and activity of the '98 delegation. We recruited '99s through personal contacts, discussions with the '99 Class Council, and a study break to introduce '99s to Green Key. When we formally change delegations at the end of spring term, the way in which they made the organization so popular among the '99s will be one of the final accolades for the dedicated '98 delegation.
