The ever-contentious "Dartmouth Indian" was the subject of discussion at last night's Student Assembly meeting. Director of the Native American Studies Program Michael Hanitchak spoke with the Assembly about the issues concerning the decades-long debate over Dartmouth's relationship to Native Americans.
"Hanitchak made the key distinction that while a mascot inherently reflects a power differential because the mascot 'serves' someone, the seal can indeed represent Dartmouth's origin as a school that would educate Native Americans," Student Life Chair Amit Anand '03 said.
Next Monday, the Assembly will host a debate at which two students will stage a prepared debate over "whether the public display of the Indian symbol is justified," Anand said.
The issue had come to the forefront of the Assembly's attention because next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the Trustees recommendation that the College discontinue the use of the "Dartmouth Indian."
The symbol had also come into debate recently as Dartmouth's Class of 1943 had briefly considered asking that the symbol be restored for their 60th reunion, but after talking with Hanitchak they reconsidered.
Though much attention in earlier meetings had been devoted to seeking reform to the Spring term's reading period, Student Body President Janos Marton '04 said yesterday that it was up to the students to try and convince individual professors to not give tests or assign papers deadlines in the two days between the split reading period.
According to Marton, there is not a centralized way to make sure there are no tests given or papers due as "department heads are not going to mandate it."
Anand said he plans to bring about a resolution before the Assembly that will "further outline our actions for the rest of the term."
Vice President of the Student Body Julia Hildreth '05 said the resolution would probably be very contested among members.
