To the Editor:
Most modern societies are judged by the level to which they allow their citizens to decide their own fate. As I learned at Dartmouth, this is called democracy. How sad then that the school I so dearly love has taken it upon itself to decide the fate of its students. In fact, it is not only sad, it is unacceptable and disgraceful!
Doesn't Dartmouth trust its students any longer to make their own informed decisions? Has the increase in the intellectual caliber of Dartmouth's students somehow made them more stupid? Has the huge increase in social alternatives already available at Dartmouth, been such a failure that the administration now has to force student's choices? Has delaying rush, and giving people a full year to make their own educated decisions about Greek life done nothing other than caused you to now conclude, that you now have to then make choices for them?
I would urge you to reconsider your decision on making fraternities and sororities coed, but I have no faith that you will value my opinion on this. Obviously, you don't even value the views of your current student body. Sadly, it appears that life in Hanover is more akin to life under Stalin than a modern day society.
Is it a coincidence that this decision comes immediately after the recent capital campaign? Why no announcement prior to the alumni donating millions of dollars?
In the real world, stock holders would pass their judgment and sack the board. Unfortunately, in Dartmouth's world, you go behind closed doors, and take away the rights of your own students to make their own choices, and then you say, simply, that there will be no debate. History passes harsh judgment on dictators who behave in similar obnoxious fashion!
I have worked for the well being of Dartmouth both when I was a student, and since I left. I have been a loyal contributor, and always cherished my memory of a great school. Furthermore, I have always believed, that Dartmouth shouldn't develop exclusively the way its alumni would like. Indeed, the students at Dartmouth today, should make of Dartmouth what they want, just as I did when I was there. Institutions must always be willing to change, however, the message you send now it is not only detrimental to this spirit of ownership and belonging, it is downright destructive.
I denounce you all. You should all be impeached! I am so very disappointed.
