The Board of Trustees has unwisely chosen to continue the moratorium on any new residential, selective, single-sex organizations. This moratorium directly contradicts the stated goals of the Student Life Initiative to improve the lives of Dartmouth students.
As a community of adults, students should be allowed to associate and live together as they see fit. The moratorium inhibits this right. If Dartmouth students can organize themselves into ultimate Frisbee teams and a cappela groups, they should be permitted to gather in any manner they desire. The distinction between selective and residential groups versus non-selective and non-residential groups should not be made -- whether single-sex and Greek or not.
When it was first imposed, there was merit to the moratorium. The fate of the Greek system was uncertain, so it was reasonable to temporarily forbid the formation of any organizations that could very well be dismantled a year later. However, it is now clear that the Trustees will not be abolishing the Greek system any time in the near future, so it is imperative that this continued system be a good one.
The moratorium blocks the Greek system from living up to its potential. A practical consequence of the moratorium is that it prevents the creation of a seventh residential sorority, thus interfering with the system's ability to be a viable resource for the women of this community. Without the presence of another sorority on this campus, every female who completes rush cannot be guaranteed a bid. This introduces an unnecessary and artificial element of selectivity.
There is substantial interest in the creation of a new sorority. In extending the moratorium, the Trustees have most significantly acted against student opinion. They have limited the potential of the Initiative to make this system more inclusive for the entire Dartmouth community.
In light of the guiding principles they so often stress, the Trustees must reconsider their decision to uphold the moratorium. They need to step back and let Dartmouth students gather however and with whomever they please. The system will be fairer because of it.