The College has gained more money in donations than it has lost as a result of the Board of Trustees' controversial new initiative, but it is not clear how long that trend will last, as many alumni are waiting to see what will happen next before deciding whether or not to rescind pledges.
Since the announcement of the residential and social life initiative, ten to twelve alumni have rescinded pledges, for a total loss of less than $2,000. During the same time period, however, three alumni have pledged a total of $40,000 to the alumni fund stating specifically that they were pledging because of the Trustees' initiative, according to Director of the Alumni Fund Jennifer Williams '85.
One of these alumni, who graduated in the early 1990s, pledged $5000 saying his donation was a "vote of confidence."
But some alumni are not as enthusiastic about the residential and social life initiative.
Sigma Nu fraternity brother Glen Frank '98 rescinded his pledge the Friday following the College's announcement.
"My fraternity was my sanctuary while I was at Dartmouth, and I had hoped that it would be for years to come," he said. "They are threatening that sanctuary, and I can't support that decision."
According to Williams, Frank is in the vast minority of alumni, and most alumni have adopted a "wait and see" attitude.
The Alumni Fund has received e-mails or phone calls directly from about 65 alumni, Williams said. Of these, about 50 percent were negative -- most from classes graduating in the '80s and '90s, while 30 to 40 percent were neutral and only 10 percent were positive.
Williams said most of the alumni who have rescinded pledges are from the classes of mid to late 1990s.
The Dartmouth either spoke to or received BlitzMail from 11 alumni last night who said they withdrew pledges since the announcement two weeks ago.
Most of the alumni who rescinded their pledges cited what they see as a lack of concern that President James Wright and the Trustees showed for the opinion of students and alumni as well as their opposition to the actual plan to do away with single-sex fraternities and sororities at Dartmouth.
The new residential and social life initiative prompted George Hannett '75 to cut off his funding, even though he was not in a fraternity and has contributed to the College every year since his graduation.
"Fraternities have played a significant role in the unique spirit of the campus," he said. "This has been sprung on everybody without concern to feelings."
Sigma Nu brother Dave Coleman '97 was one of the alumni who withdrew his pledge.
"I rescinded because I am trying to send a message to the College, that the alumni are the College," he said. "The alumni don't really have a collective body that can speak for them, but we do have our money, and the College will be forced to listen to us if we take it away."
Williams said most of the calls the Alumni Fund has received have been from alumni wanting to find out more about the initiative, and said Alumni Fund officers have tried to be as honest with them as possible.
"What we've been saying to people is that the Trustees have made an announcement that we need to improve the residential and social system at Dartmouth," she said. "My understanding is that nobody today has an end result in mind. We try to explain to the alumni that this is a process."
Wright told The Dartmouth on February 9 that the Trustees' decision will mean an end to the Greek system "as we know it." He said the Board would look for input from students, but would be deciding on a new social system "that's not built on single-six houses."
Many alumni The Dartmouth interviewed who are considering withdrawing their pledges said they worry that this "process" will not include their input or that of the students.
"I want to remain involved with this college," said Warren Valdmanis '95 who is waiting to for future developments before he takes action. "But if they make serious decisions without consulting the alumni, I may have to reconsider. I think this process should involve the alumni voice, if it doesn't, I think they're making a mistake."
Mostly, however, alumni are still holding off on possible decisions to stop contributing, Williams said.
"We have been pleased by the extent to which many alumni have said they're going to wait and see what happens," Williams said.
But some alumni have already made up their minds about the merits of the Trustees' announcement, and not all hold negative opinions.
"I think it's a great idea," Terry Lowe '64 said. "I think it's about time they took action against some of the excesses that frats that have had up there for years."
