Michael Johnson '01 came to Dartmouth to get out of the Midwest, not to join a fraternity. While the influence of his two roommates led Johnson to rush and blind luck led him to pledge Alpha Delta fraternity, it was his hard work that won him a seat as president of the Interfraternity Council.
For Johnson, Dartmouth has been "a great place to grow up," and it has far exceeded his first expectations.
He said he loves its clean, healthy atmosphere, something that is not found at more urban schools. He loves that he is pressured to work as hard as possible and to succeed. He loves that everybody is happy here. In fact, Johnson has had so many good memories that he could hardly think of something that he did not like about Dartmouth.
After a pause he answered that people here compare themselves to other universities too often, something that is unnecessary when Dartmouth is "leading the way."
There are "people at MIT [that] can't wait to get out," he said. "People here want to be around the school more."
Johnson is living proof of students' love for Dartmouth, remaining here on his off-term to do research at the medical center.
Outside the IFC he spends his time studying, rowing for the heavyweight crew team and working as a Student Alcohol Peer Advisor. When he has a chance he also plays intramural sports. But the "majority of my contribution has been through the frat system," Johnson said.
Johnson has been actively involved with the IFC, beginning his career as alternate to the Judiciary Committee. He served as treasurer this past summer and has also prepared several web pages.
While Johnson said the Student Life Initiative has put more pressure on him and his office, he said it is a fun kind of pressure, "like the last two minutes of a football game." He is optimistic about the next couple of months, seeing the Initiative as a chance to make some needed changes, and does not feel "frightened or threatened."
Johnson said he plans on meeting with fraternity presidents and gather ideas on how to improve the system. He said the Greek system as a whole has to make some changes and should present a united front in response to the recent recommendations.
According to Johnson, the major problem with the recommendations report is that it casts a negative light on the Greek system and that there are no long term commitments from the College. He said the College needs to guarantee that a house will be "safe" if it upholds the standards.
In response to a question about the Animal House image of the College, Johnson said that while it is dangerous, the perception is not as prevalent as other stereotypes people have of Dartmouth. He said the College is more famous for providing an elite education with great student interaction and for producing well-rounded individuals.
It would be a great loss to Dartmouth and detrimental to the community if they lost the Greek system, Johnson said.
He hopes that everyone will be able to look back at any changes made and be satisfied, so that the College can give future students, as it was given him, the best time of their lives.
