For many students Spring term is a time that they will never forget. Whether considering the ups and downs of the Greek system or the addition of new programs, the face of the College has been changed forever.
For many Dartmouth students, the most important news was the College's decision to derecognize Zeta Psi fraternity after several students complained to the administration about internal and, in some cases, sexually-explicit, house newsletters which included references to specific female students.
"[The decision] primarily had to do with issues surrounding the harassment of individual students and allegations of the violation of several of [the College's] coed, fraternity and sorority minimum standards," Dean of Residential Life Martin Redman said.
The news created much controversy and stirred discussions concerning gender and free-speech issues that were played out on the pages of The Dartmouth and elsewhere on campus
Following actions by Princeton and Harvard Universities to increase financial aid to students, Dartmouth added $1.6 million to its financial aid program. The increase, however, will only begin to take effect with the incoming Class of 2005, upsetting many current students. Freshmen can expect to see their loans reduced by between $1,225 and $1,500, according to the Financial Aid Office.
The Greek system was shaken again when Sigma Nu fraternity announced its decision to leave the Coed Fraternity Sorority Council in the beginning of May, criticizing it as "ineffective in representing the views of the [Greek] system," in a pamphlet distributed to the campus.
Three weeks later, the CFSC voted to seriously look into dissolving and replacing itself with a Greek Presidents Council. Many of the decisions previously made by the CFSC would be made by the other governing boards -- the Interfraternity Council, the Coed Council, the Panhellenic Council and the Pan Hellenic Council.
Chi Heorot fraternity had its derecognition by the College overturned on appeal. Instead, the house will receive three terms of social restrictions for failing to meet two of the College's Minimum Standards during the Winter term standards review.
In a long-anticipated move, the College began steps to add a Korean language program to the curriculum after 12 years of student lobbying. The program would consist of three introductory language classes.
Dartmouth's Amos Tuck School of Business was ranked as the best business school in the world by the Wall Street Journal, beating out more well-known schools such as Harvard and Wharton. The study was based on a survey of corporate recruiters, who gave Tuck graduates the highest rating in almost all categories.
On a sadder note, the Dartmouth community mourned the passing of two of its own. Matthew Demaine '04 passed away in his sleep on Apr. 9.. He had played on the lacrosse team and was well-liked by all who knew him, said his roommate, Adam Goodman '04.
Just two days later, College librarian Caroline Derouin died of a heart attack. She had begun work at Sherman Art Library as a circulation specialist only three days prior to her death.
