Discussion at Monday night's fireside chat on the Student Life Initiative centered on the role of social organizations in determining student identity.
While the original intent of the discussion was to include all social organizations, the approximately 30 students who attended focused mainly on the Coed Fraternity Sorority system.
Opinions ranged from the desire to see the entire system "dissolved" to a wish for an enhanced system with the addition of more houses.
Towards the end of the evening more practical concerns were raised about students' roles in the process and the timeline for when results can be expected.
The discussion was hosted by College President James Wright, Dean of the College James Larimore and Trustee Richard Page '54. Student Assembly Vice President Margaret Kuecker '01 facilitated.Early in the evening several students stated that what made their Greek house so special was the feeling of brotherhood or sisterhood that unites its members.
"What are the essential elements that allow for this brotherhood?" one student asked. He also asked if it would this persist in the absence of alcohol, or the presence of the opposite sex.
Other students said that living in their houses and pledge periods had defined their experiences.
Another student said that a problem with the Greek system is that its members consider themselves members of a house first, and Dartmouth students second.
This was countered by several students who said that this is merely the natural result of their houses being attacked.
Students were divided on the issue of coed houses.
One female student said, "If you're part of main stream Dartmouth life, you're pushed into a fraternity or sorority." She added that she had not considered joining a coed organization because they do not have the strength and resources to provide the same opportunities that sororities do.
Other students echoed the call for stronger coed houses.
Wright asked why 50 percent of students who chose a coeducational college chose to be members of single-sex organizations.
One male student suggested that all single-sex houses that don't meet the Student Life Initiative's requirements be converted to coed organizations.
Other students said that there weren't enough sororities.
Students also expressed concerns that the discussion surrounding the steering committee recommendations has related everything to the Greek system.
"The Greek system really can have very little to do with your life, I know that's a shock to some of you," one student said.
Other students raised concerns about the inclusion of minority students on campus.
Many people feel that it's ok for minorities to exist on the fringes, one female student said, adding that this should be unacceptable in an institution such as Dartmouth even if, as another student challenged, this problem exists throughout the country.
The tension heightened when a male student asked, "Is this a democratic process?" Many students agreed with his fear that students' voices will not be heard.
Larimore responded by calling the process "open" but he added that, "I don't think a college board ... makes decisions by taking a poll."
Page said that the College would never have gone coed if the decision had been based on a poll.
Page also said that what the Trustees finally come up with may surprise people and may disappoint people. He said that they will present what the values of the institution ought to be, and policy issues that reflect those values.
"I would be surprised if they [the Trustees] accepted it [the steering committee report] in its entirety," Larimore, said. Page agreed that this is unlikely.
