We often hear people talking about the problems of the Greek system, but it is rare that these problems are defined. It seems that, ironically, the biggest problem with the Greek system is its own success. Members of Greek houses are strongly loyal to their letters, and Greek parties are the most highly attended social events on campus. The houses give members an intangible sense of contentment and belonging that only Greeks can fully understand.
The Greek system has come to dominate social life so thoroughly, that in doing so it has created two major problems on campus. One is that there are no other mainstream social options readily available, and the other is that it has created an alienated portion of the community that feels as though they have been relegated to the fringe of College life. This is not right, and it is for the best that the College tries to remedy the situation.
Their proclamation today consisted of at the very least making Greek organizations coeducational, and perhaps doing away with them all together. The administration has wiped clean the proverbial Greek slate, but has presented no real plan for future social life at Dartmouth other than the vague idyllic principles laid out in the statement by the Board of Trustees. While bold, it seems that the social atmosphere they seek would not be achieved by this move.
The policy of coeducation will not truly address the problem that most people recognize first in the flaws of our current system. This is the fragmentation of the College into groups. Whether it is along racial or athletic lines, students here associate with those who are most like themselves, and coed houses would be no different. More problems exist between these fractured groups than do between females and males. The administration must acknowledge that the true solution to student social deficiencies lies somewhere beyond coeducation of Greek organizations.
There seems to be no turning back for the administration now. It was President of the College Jim Wright who said, "This is not a referendum on these things. We are committed to doing this."
It is a shame that the administration felt that they needed to surprise the student body with this news, and a shame that changes and improvements in the Greek system couldn't have taken a more gradual evolutionary shape. But despite this apparent lack of consideration toward student feelings, the situation that is forced upon us now also presents us with an opportunity to take all the best of our current social system and improve upon it however we can.
What we as students do now to shape social life at Dartmouth will affect life at the College forever, and we must weigh that responsibility heavily as we evaluate our system and the choices that confront us. The President and the Trustees have committed the College to funding a major overhaul of student life. We have tens of millions of dollars at our disposal to make this school into what we want. This is one chance and our time. We had better make it count.
