Most students are dissatisfied and some have questioned the motives behind the Judical Committee's decision to place Psi Upsilon fraternity on probation for violations of College rules during last term's keg jump.
Students said they felt the committee's punishment of Psi U was part of an attempt to weaken the influence of the Greek system and not necessarily based on violations of College policy, although most have not disputed the allegations of underage drinking and unsafe activity taking place during the event.
"The College has needed an excuse to take out the keg jump for some time," Connor Smith '00 said.
Smith said that the connection of the keg with alcohol made the keg jump an especially important target for the Trustees to eradicate in order to improve its image in the media.
Coed Fraternity Sorority Council president Eric Etu '01, did not comment on the fairness of the probation, but mentioned the fact that Dartmouth is going through some changes which may have affected the outcome of the
Another problem that students mentioned was the way in which the College remained silent about its problems with the keg jump for 18 years and then announced the violations.
"They should have said something before [the keg jump decision.
"Most people understand that we're members of a changing campus," Etu said. "While something like [the keg jump] may have gone unchecked 10 years ago, maybe it should be seen as a problem at today's Dartmouth."] occurred," William Peter '01 said. "They could have predicted what would have happened."
As for the keg jump itself, most students expressed support for its continuance and acknowledged its importance as a fun Dartmouth tradition.
"It's a very silly tradition, but something to which a lot of people look forward," Smith said.
I'd like to see the keg jump continue if it could continue in a safer form," Etu said, also adding that he supported the fact that it raises money for charity.
Psi U, which conducted its annual keg jump on Feb. 12 during Winter Carnival, has been placed on a six week probation by the Judicial Committee for alleged violations of the College's Community Standards of Conduct and the Student Alcohol policy last week. The violations include serving alcohol to underage and intoxicated persons, and creating an unsafe environment for College members.
