With the fate of the College's current alcohol policy still up in the air, Dean of the College Lee Pelton's decision to step down in June comes at a critical time for the future of the Dartmouth's current social scene.
The alcohol policy recommendations of the College Committee on Alcohol and Other Drugs, which suggested radical changes to the current policy, drew heated criticism from the student body when it was released in November.
More than 300 students poured into Cook Auditorium Fall term for the information session on the report -- many protesting the possible presence of Safety and Security officers in fraternity basements and the recommended reduction of kegs at registered Coed, Fraternity and Sorority events.
Although the Student Assembly-compiled report on student reactions to the CCAOD recommendations will not be presented to Pelton until early February, he said changes in the alcohol policy will be "settled" before he leaves and implementation is likely to occur during Spring term.
Pelton said he will use the student reaction report to implement a policy that will be amenable to students and bring Dartmouth in compliance with the law at the same time.
"I'm a good listener," Pelton said. "I will take students' recommendations very seriously."
Much of the criticism to the CCAOD report has come from members of CFS houses, who say the report focuses largely on the accountability of CFS organizations rather than individuals, according to Assembly Vice President of Administrative and Faculty Relations Case Dorkey '99.
"Clearly I have some decisions to make within the next six to eight weeks," Pelton said. "I'm still dean until July and I will continue to operate as dean. However, I need to make sure I will not make a decision today that will negatively affect" the next dean of the College.
Assembly President Frode Eilertsen '99 said he has "every faith in the world that Dean Pelton will do his best to ensure" the timely completion of the alcohol policy changes, but said he is concerned about what the next dean of the College may bring.
"Will this new person continue, expand or shut down the projects we are working on now? Not knowing his vision, we won't know for sure," Eilertsen said.
Eilertsen said he hopes the new dean of the College will provide continuity to the projects left unfinished by Pelton.
