The Student Assembly soundly passed a resolution last night condemning the College's moratorium on new Coed, Fraternity and Sorority organization recognition, saying the decision hinders self-improvement efforts by the Greek system and sends the wrong signal to the student body.
The Assembly resolution states the "unilateral announcement of this moratorium has convinced many students that the final implementation of the Initiative has been largely determined already and without consideration of student input."
It goes on to say the Initiative "should not disrupt on-going student efforts for positive change" and the moratorium creates a double-standard as the administration is continuing to actively pursue other expansions of residential and social spaces.
The resolution passed with 41 votes in favor and only one vote against. Three Assembly members abstained from voting on the issue.
The Assembly urged the removal of the moratorium and endorsed the creation of a new Panhellenic sorority and the exploration of further coed social organization options. The moratorium has stymied efforts by the Panhellenic council and two sophomores to start, and receive college recognition for, a seventh Panhell sorority and a fourth coeducational house respectively.
Acting Dean of the College Dan Nelson recently decided to allow the sorority to continue planning and engage in many activities of any other Greek house, but would not be officially recognized or allowed in the Coed Fraternity Sorority Council.
The issue of a new sorority has added urgency since Panhell President Kelly Bodio '00 has stated she does not know how the existing sororities can handle another rush class similar in size to recent classes.
Nelson told The Dartmouth last week the moratorium will be in place until the Trustees decide on the new social and residential system at the College so students would not spend energy on a project which might not be part of the Trustees' vision.
He also said the College did not want to recognize organizations with constitutions which might turn out to be incompatible with that vision.
