As the Zeta Psi case enters the decision phase, national media covering the controversy -- which erupted after the discovery of sexually-explicit newsletters published by the fraternity -- has shifted much of its focus on the administration itself.
Judicial hearings for misconduct on behalf of the Zeta Psi Fraternity took place on Sunday. According to Dean of Residential Life Martin Redman, a decision regarding possible sanctions imposed on the fraternity will likely be announced on Friday.
On the pages of national publications, however, a different type of judgment is being passed. An article in yesterday's edition of The Boston Globe -- which flashed the headline "Dartmouth president under fire" -- said that both students and professors criticize College President James Wright for failing to follow through on his 1999 promise to bring sweeping changes to the Greek system.
The article also claimed that, in backing away from his original proposal, Wright bowed to pressures placed upon him by donors to the College, many of whom support the Greek system.
Laurel Stavis, of the College's Office of Public Affairs, said that that insinuation is simply "not true."
Stavis explained that given its national and international prominence, Dartmouth is the constant object of both positive and negative publicity. Criticism, including that aimed specifically at Wright, "goes with the territory," she said.
An article published by The Union Leader last April extensively quoted Andrew Grossman, editor of The Dartmouth Review -- a paper known for its conservative views. According to Grossman, the majority of the student body disapproved of the administration's involvement in the Zeta Psi case and in other instances of Greek dissonance.
"There's a contingent of 50 to 100 students who favor punishment of Zeta Psi, up to derecognition. But others are looking for other alternatives for handling this sort of incident. The student body wants to handle this themselves rather than the administration handing down an edict," Grossman told The Union Leader.
In reality, students' opinions on the legitimacy of the administration's effort to institute changes within the Greek system vary widely.
While some do agree with Grossman, others feel the administration's efforts were of little consequence to Greek and College life in general.
"I don't think they've gone far enough," an '01 who wished to remain anonymous said. "Social dynamics [at the College] have pretty much stayed the same since I've been here."
Michael Rheaume '02 agreed.
"It pretty much seems to be the same as it always was as far as I'm concerned," he said.
Some are optimistic that the administration will, through prolonged efforts, eventually accomplish meaningful reforms within the Greek system.
"I would hope and trust that they're working toward bigger change. It's just at a slower pace [then most expect]," Christina Ennis '01 said.
In contrast to diverse student opinion, College faculty members appear to be largely unified in their position that, indeed, the administration has not gone far enough in reforming Greek houses. Over 100 professors made their views known in an open letter to Wright and the Board of Trustees, published in The Dartmouth last week.
"We ourselves have never felt more disappointed by the administration's failure to address the systemic and incalculable harm that both our students and our own pedagogical work suffer by Dartmouth's acceptance and support of structures that promote such attitudes of entitlement and disrespect," the letter said.
Dean of the College James Larimore said that while he understood faculty members' concerns, the administration is asking for their patience.
"Significant change takes time," he said.
In regard to criticism that the administration has backed down from its initial proposal to reform the Greek system, Larimore said,"The Student Life Initiative [the recommendations made by a select committee to change, among other things, Greek life at the College], when it was announced, was really the beginning of the process. In my mind it's unfair to criticize the College as having backed away."
In addition to the Globe and The Union Leader, the Zeta Psi story was also picked up by The Associated Press and the Valley News and was featured in news pieces on CNN and some regional television stations, including Fox 25 in Boston and WMUR ABC 9 in Manchester, N.H.
