To the Editor:
Ethan Wang '13 ("Community College," Feb. 9) argues that the relationship between the College and the Upper Valley community is based on mutual respect, and we "deserve the support of the community in standing up against [the proposed alcohol] policies." As a '10 and a native of the Upper Valley, I felt compelled to respond.
Wang speaks of "myriad hours" spent by Dartmouth students in local community service; I applaud the actions of those individuals who do work to better the Upper Valley, but the idea that the "goodwill" of their actions spills over to all of those of us who do nothing is flawed. Moreover, I find the notion that any amount of goodwill earns one the right to do as one pleases to be perverse. I'm equally dissatisfied with Wang's characterization of respect between Dartmouth and the Upper Valley it's laughable. In Wang's own words, "it is the people of Hanover who opened up their town for us to call home these four years" if we're in their house, the least we can do is follow their rules. If we're unwilling to do that, then claiming to respect this community is hypocrisy.
There are numerous ways in which the proposed alcohol policy can (and should) be contested, but please do not argue that Dartmouth "deserves" to get what it wants from the Upper Valley community. As a member of both, I can tell you you're wrong.
