When considering topics for my column this week, I found myself wavering back-and-forth between a celebratory tribute to Bruce Springsteen on the one hand, and a discussion on the artistic merits of our new black-lit Green on the other. Ultimately, however, I decided to tackle the subject that has distracted my attention from those two weighty topics this week -- fraternity rush.
I reluctantly put The Boss on the back burner after an interesting telephone interview I had the other day with a reporter from The Dartmouth. His article was focusing on the Greek system's current opinion with regard to the social life initiative and I was asked several questions about what Psi U intended to do now that the Trustees were entering their "decision phase." Later, my well-intentioned interviewer asked whether any fraternity brothers of mine were "ready to give up" in the face of the impending Trustee mandate. I responded that no, I did not have any immediate plans to kidnap Trustee Bosworth or cancel yet another keg jump, nor did I know anyone even remotely considering the possibility of throwing in the proverbial towel.
After the conclusion of our conversation I remained bothered by two things. First, I was slightly annoyed by the implied suggestion that the absence of any public protests, alumni drives or blackmail schemes revealed a deficiency in the Greek system's resolve to resist plans for its removal. After all, we are equally ignorant of the plans being discussed behind closed doors and generally feel as helpless and ignored as the rest of Dartmouth's community, faculty and students alike. Organized protest can be difficult when you face an unknown threat. Secondly, it surprised me that anyone with the observational skills of a reporter would feel compelled to ask whether I was "ready to give up," especially in light of the supreme rush effort made by so many people on campus these past few weeks.
As most Dartmouth students know, the rush process for sororities differs markedly from fraternities. Whereas women have to endure a two week rush-marathon, men have the benefit of a more relaxed introduction to the house, which usually begins when they sneak through a window their freshman fall. Despite these differences, however, several common traits characterize each. They are both exhausting and stressful, for example. In addition, they are both organized and managed primarily by seniors.
Right now the bleary-eyed '00s you see each day at food court are busy taking classes, leading athletic teams, editing publications, and nervously preparing for careers. Yet despite the pleasure these leadership opportunities and well-deserved accolades afford, there's a vague sense of approaching relief for many of us. Indeed, we have every reason to be tired of school. Many seniors are ready for a break. Still others would argue that Dartmouth has begun to feel limited and static in comparison to the plethora of opportunities available to us after graduation. Given the uncertain future of the Greek system, one might predict that these stressed-out seniors would succumb to malaise and focus their efforts on activities more certain to yield results in the future. This past week, however, the opposite proved true. In fact, nearly half the senior class participated in the annual rush process, resume reviews be damned. They sacrificed important time in order to ensure the preservation and continued strength of their houses.
I think it speaks volumes about the nature of our Greek system that the student demographic with the smallest stake in the survival of fraternities and sororities is nevertheless the group that placed their lives on hold to ensure that another batch of sophomores might enjoy a similar experience. Have the Greeks given up in the debate over their role on campus? Of course not. We've just been too busy pouring ourselves into one of the most meaningful institutions at Dartmouth so that it might continue in the face of administrative hostility. In many respects, that is as strong a protest as we can realistically make.
I wonder if the Trustees, in their discussions of possible alternatives to the Greek system, have considered whether any other institution will be able to elicit the same kind of life-long commitment characteristic of fraternities and sororities. I wonder if the new social vision of Dartmouth will maintain the attention and passion of students throughout their whole college career, even when faced with a daunting list of other priorities. Finally, I wonder at the incredible sense of selfless obligation that seems to compel so many of my peers to preserve the longest continuing tradition at Dartmouth.
