With all of the recent talk about love or the lack thereof at Dartmouth, I would like to focus on a different type of love or passion that exists on this campus. It runs rampant through the halls of Robinson Hall. (Ahem. Don't let your gutter mind wander over to those steamy tales of the stacks, Bema, etc. -- this is a clean column.) Robinson Hall is home to many student organizations, publications and Dartmouth Broadcasting.
As one of Robinson's third floor residents, I have been witness to some hot passion-filled nights at The D, the Forensics Union and whatever it is that they do across the hall on the third floor, and some late-night on-air antics that would frighten small children and most parents. I know you are curious now -- the seduction has begun. So now you're asking, " How can I get a room, uh, I mean position, in Robinson Hall and can I buy you a drink?"
It is a tale of seduction and love, I tell you. It starts all too innocently with a couple hour long dates here and there. In fact, I cheated on another love only to move into Robinson. Yes, I was committed to two: field hockey and the station. When Coach found out, she was not so pleased that I had strayed from my one-time love of athletics and that I could love another (and God forbid, one that does not affect my cardiovascular fitness -- well at one time, those three flights of stairs just seemed to get longer each time), so I had to make the decision. The double love affair could last no longer. I decided that Alumni (the gym, that is) didn't do it for me anymore and I moved on. One more bitter breakup for the records.
For me, my affair with 99 Rock started as somewhat of a joke. I had always told my parents that if I couldn't get into law school, I was going to be a disc jockey. It was a joke, and also somewhat of a far-fetched fantasy. Well, not entirely, but hey, the idea of conquering all media is quite an attraction. So now, I have this thing with the station. I don't want to call it a relationship -- that might mean commitment or something, so I'll say the station is my "special" friend. I didn't want to rush into anything since I had just gotten out of a relationship.
Well, this innocent little affair of sorts grew on me and I began to spend more and more time there. I even went so far as to take the big leap and pretty much marry the damn thing. Yep, that's right, I applied for directorate. Now, some other Robinson dwellers are familiar with this term, but for those of you who are not, here goes: directorate (dur-ec-tor-at)- n. a position that turns into a time suck, sometimes greatly rewarding, mostly thankless though; looks GREAT on the resume. I bet a lot of you see that last section of the definition and you think "yeah, that's the clincher." However, unless you are in love and are really in the mood, nothing that this position could do for your resume would be worth it.
Directorate has been one of the best things about my Dartmouth experience thus far and at times the worst. What's that line about love being a rollercoaster? This only goes to show that it truly is. I spend 20 plus hours a week as a resident on the third floor of Robinson. I am devoted to my relationship there and though it is tempting to stray and frolic outside, especially with such a beautiful summer, I must not forsake those vows: "I will be faithful to the station, I will not stray and love another... until death or academic probation do us part, blah, blah, blah." You get the picture.
The thing about relationships is that they are a give-and-take agreement. I give countless hours and in return I get incredible experience that will go far and beyond what I learned in Greek and Roman Studies last term. There isn't a professor on campus who would assign an actual interview with Slash or force me to see concerts and hang out at clubs and bars to mingle with other radio people. Just like any other relationship though, there are ups and downs. The week I am closest to a nervous breakdown with schoolwork will most likely be the week that I am paged about a thousand times for problems in the station or simply other people choosing to have affairs elsewhere and standing the station up. I grin and bear it, or maybe I scream and bear it, but I make it through ok. Why? Because I'm in love.
Maybe you have a hard time finding your love through beer goggles in a frat basement, maybe you are tired of the affair with the gym or maybe you just aren't attracted to the lovely green hues of the '02 room. Whatever your love woes are, you might find just what you are looking for in Robinson. We've got all our dating needs. Dartmouth has so much to offer and so many opportunities -- if you don't find what you are looking for in one, try another one. It's just like the old saying: there are lots of other fish in Occom Pond. Why don't you try another one out?
You will take from Dartmouth only what you put in and there are so many more offerings than what is stated in the ORC. In fact, the best education lies outside of those pages. This wouldn't be such a great school if all you took away was what you learned in class. Robinson Hall is a great place to start diverting your attention from those books. Forget all the relationship problems you've had in the past and fall in love -- it will change your life and possibly your future.
