In the weeks that led up to my arrival at Dartmouth, virtually every high school and college student that I spoke with told me emphatically to keep my mind open to a wide variety of academic possibilities. So why, I wondered, did these same people speak of only one collegiate social opportunity -- drinking?
In the eight hour car ride that brought me to Dartmouth, I contemplated what my social life in college would be like. Would I really become a beer guzzling inebriate every Friday night, not recovering from my drunken stupor until sometime Sunday afternoon? The possibility seemed highly unlikely to me. After all, I rationalized, I was headed for one of the nation's most prestigious academic institutions. Surely, its inhabitants could find something more worthwhile to do with their time than play beer pong until they passed out.
Luckily, I was right. Actually, most of the friends I have made here are not heavy drinkers. Why then, I wonder, do so many people outside of the campus link Dartmouth to kegs?
For me to say that drinking is not a definite part of life at Dartmouth would be a lie. However, drinking occurs on most, if not all, college campuses. What disturbs me is the fact that many individuals who are not affiliated with Dartmouth view our fine institution as a place where students gather together to drink to the point of severe intoxication. We enjoy our liquor no more nor less than the average American college student.
At least part of the reason that outsiders view Dartmouth as a heavier drinking school than most is the fact that fraternities and sororities still exist on our campus, whereas some other schools in the Ivy League have ceased to recognize Greek organizations. I'm not saying that Greek life should be abolished at Dartmouth; I may even pledge a sorority next year. However, I feel that it is imperative to Dartmouth's prestige that society be made aware of the fact that Greek life involves more than binge drinking. Dartmouth's fraternities and sororities sponsor non-alcoholic events as well as many community service projects.
Although I feel rather compelled to defend Dartmouth's Greeks, I feel equally obliged to point out the fact that many Dartmouth students are not fraternity or sorority members. In fact, the entire freshman class, approximately one quarter of the student body, is barred from pledging. And do we sit around in our rooms, twiddling our thumbs, waiting to gain access to the all-important kegs? Of course not. And for that matter, neither do many of the upperclassmen here, regardless of whether they are involved in Greek life. We spend the majority of our time at Dartmouth broadening our minds by attending classes, plays, movies and guest lectures; discussing important social issues with our professors and fellow classmates and reading some of the most fascinating works of literature in Baker Library.
We also, mind you, do our fair share of partying. This, however, is secondary to our other activities. We know that it is just as easy to spend a Saturday night gazing at the stars with a good friend and discussing views, dreams and fears as it is to consume alcohol.
The simple fact is that we, Dartmouth students, are among the most intellectual, ambitious and diligent people in the world. Drinking is not who we are, it is merely something that some of us do. We are writers, speakers, musicians, athletes, actors, leaders and, most importantly, scholars. That is the heart of Dartmouth.
