The moose may return after all. Following months of debate and discussion, the moose emerged the winner of a Student Assembly-run vote to determine student preferences for a College mascot.
The moose, which had briefly served as unofficial mascot at athletic contests several years ago, took first place with 35.4 percent of votes cast. Nearly as many voters -- 24.9 percent -- indicated that they were dissatisfied with the options, while a to-be-determined Dr. Seuss character and the Yeti followed behind with 14 percent and 11.3 percent respectively.
The Dartmouth Indian -- long considered Dartmouth's mascot, though never officially recognized by the College -- did not appear on the ballot, despite a May Blitzmail survey conducted by the Assembly which indicated that nearly 20 percent of students supported it as their choice for mascot.
Other choices included the Salty Dog and the Forester, both of which netted less than 10 percent. Over 2,300 responded to the online survey.
Although the moose received the highest percentage of votes, a long road lies ahead before it can be officially recognized by the College. The Assembly plans to talk to alumni to gauge their feelings on the moose, according to Assembly member Stella Treas '05.
"If there is a real interest" on the part of alumni, Treas said, the Assembly will then approach the Board of Trustees, the body ultimately responsible for conferring official College recognition on a mascot.
President of the Board of Trustees Susan Dentzer '77 said last month that she thought the Board would approve a new mascot if there was sufficient student and alumni support and if the proposed mascot was appropriate.
The Assembly also plans to conduct a design competition to "get a face for the moose," Treas said.
Student reactions to news of the moose's win varied greatly. "I don't think the moose is a very inspiring mascot," Dan Karmel '04 said.
"[The moose] has no historic significance to this school or the students," Adam Small '04 said. "We aren't the only school without a mascot, and it hasn't been an issue for Harvard or Cornell."
Others regretted that the Indian symbol had been largely excluded from the discussion process.
"I thought the Indian was in poor taste primarily because it portrayed a human being," Alex Talcott '04 said. "It's sad that we can't deal with our past with the Indian mascot honestly."
Still, many students supported the moose, also noting that the animal is fiercer than has been generally credited by detractors.
"I'm happy with the moose, because it really represents what Dartmouth and New Hampshire are all about," Daniel August '07 said.
"Like Dartmouth, the moose is more vicious than you might think," Kevin Yates '07 said.