To the Editor:
On a recent visit to Hanover, I had the opportunity to read through a recent issue of The Dartmouth. While I found it to be a tremendous publication overall, I was struck by a letter from Scott Gridley ("Giving All We Can," Jan. 11).
As a senior at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Penn., I found the letter quite reassuring. Those of us studying at "second tier" schools are often insecure when we contemplate our Ivy League brethren, but Gridley's letter was the same sort of incoherent drivel that Lehigh students write to the editors of our newspaper.
Given Gridley's apparent esteem for charitable causes, it is unfathomable to me that he could find fault with TDX's actions. I have a similar esteem for charity and am part of an institution nearly dominated by its Greek affiliates, and I nearly soiled myself with glee when I read about TDX's charitable event.
I'll make no pretense about my previous disdain for the secret-handshaking, minority-excluding, woman-marginalizing fraternities of both of our schools, but the money raised by TDX has given me a more hopeful, positive outlook toward Greek life.
Gridley's trite and pretentious dialect aside ("Alcoholic beverages?" -- we call it "beer" at Lehigh), I just cannot understand what could move someone to write a letter that was so clearly and obviously purposed to "criticize the persons at TDX."
Is Gridley social chair at a different fraternity and wishes he had had the idea first? An inevitable frat party that managed to raise over $1000 for a worthy cause at the same time? That seems like a perfect way for your "financially privileged families" to "donate to their effort." I'll drink for charity at Dartmouth's TDX chapter any time!
Thank you for letting me share with you my thoughts on this subject. You have a beautiful town and campus. Sorry to hear about the dumpster fire and congratulations on your new panini.
