Although the central theme was alcohol, discussions of Dartmouth culture and the rights of the individual dominated last night's "fireside chat."
The discussion was attended by roughly thirty undergraduates as well as a handful of graduate students.
The discussion was led by Dean of the College James Larimore and Provost Susan Prager, and co-facilitated by Student Response Task Force member Kevan Higgins '00. Another of the eight student task force members, Amit Anand '03 was also in attendance. College President James Wright was unable to attend.
The generally calm discussion was sprinkled with moments of heated debate over whether or not the Student Life Initiative threatens the rights of individuals.
Several male students said that students should have the right to choose how they live their lives, even if they choose to destroy them with alcohol. They argued that the reforms proposed by the steering committee report would coddle students too much, and that freedom is a fundamental part of education and growing up.
Others countered that Dartmouth students pay $30,000 a year in exchange for an education, and it is therefore the right and duty of the College to make sure that they receive that education.
Another response was that the College is a private institution and does not have to answer to individuals. Others suggested that it was ridiculous to speak of rights when the laws of the United States already bar people under 21 years of age from drinking.
English Professor Donald Pease asked the group to consider whether things such as pong and binge drinking are really manifestations of freedom or hyper-conformity.
The culture of Dartmouth was also key issue. Students debated over whether people drink because of the culture and surroundings, or if drinking itself is the culture.
One female student suggested that perhaps the student body has created an environment where it plays pong and drinks on Wednesdays because it is competitive and few people take classes on Thursdays.
Several students expressed the opinion that the culture is far too steeped in drinking for any action taken by the administration to effect it.
Larimore commented that neither he, nor Wright, have any intention of trying to eliminate alcohol entirely.
Nevertheless, one student urged the group to imagine a dry Dartmouth.
In response to a challenge to define the term "Dartmouth Culture" one female student asked the others to think of a friend who they think has a problem with alcohol and then think of how that person is viewed by the community.
In her experience, those people who are in the most danger are glorified. While some students disagreed, many said they could identify with this.
Several students suggested that this was equivalent to laughing over someone drinking until they become ill.
Another female student proposed that Greek events succeed and dominate the social scene not because they provide alcohol, but because they give students the chance to organize their own events.
She suggested that other events such as those in Collis are inherently less student organized because they are structured by the school. Another female student responded by saying that many students do enjoy such events.
Larimore requested that The Dartmouth not use students' names when attributing quotes.