To the Editor:
In Tuesday's article about the possible return of Beta Theta Pi fraternity ("Waiting in exile, Beta strives for re-recognition," May 8), one quote by Dean of Residential Life Marty Redman jumped out. He said, in part, "We strongly believe ... that being affiliated with a national organization is beneficial for the students." This oft-repeated chorus from College administrators is used to justify the mandate that all new Greek organizations be nationally affiliated. Empirically, it is also blatantly false.
As a member of the country's largest national fraternity, I can attest that the benefit derived from a national is minimal; while it is fun to meet Sigma Alpha Epsilon brothers from other chapters, it is hardly a formative experience. Furthermore, proponents of additional female-dominated social spaces on campus face a tragically impossible task, as the Panhellenic Council's national ban on alcohol in its sororities means that these sororities at Dartmouth will never be on equal footing with fraternities.
Thus, discounting these supposed intangible "benefits" for students associated with a national organization, what is the College's real reason for insisting upon them? As always, money. National Greek organizations bear the brunt of the liability for their chapters, and in many cases assist in risk management, rush and physical plant upkeep. These organizations can insist on stringent standards while never having to worry about appearing "anti-Greek." They give the College a buffer -- monetarily, legally and diplomatically -- on all Greek issues. There lies the real benefit of nationals, and it has nothing to do with the students who join them.
That said, all of the aforementioned reasons are quite rational and understandable -- hardly objectionable on any level. But please, let's be honest about them. Don't keep feeding students and alumni BS about some indefinable benefit for members when the real motivation for insisting upon nationals is quite the opposite.
