Last year, the prospective student I hosted during Dimensions asked me the predictable question: "What do you like most about Dartmouth?" While it seems simple, an honest answer to this question actually requires a lot of reflection. Not sure what to say, I quickly rattled off a few standard things I liked about the College: the people are nice, the classes are good and the rural setting is peaceful.
While she ended up coming to Dartmouth anyway, it bothered me for a long time that I had not given a more thoughtful answer to her question. Luckily, I finally realized my favorite part about Dartmouth this past Fall, in the midst of an extreme allergic reaction, in a frigid and uncomfortable room at Dick's House.
When I had arrived at Dick's House the previous day, I was horrified at the red splotches that had appeared all over my face and body, and was relieved when the nurse told me that they would monitor me overnight to make sure my throat didn't close.
By the time my hives reappeared the next afternoon, though, I had a feeling that I was going to survive and didn't want to sleep over for a second night. It was freezing in Dick's House, I was lonely and uncomfortable, and I felt fine.
Despite my protests, the nurse informed me that I needed to stay, and I finally accepted my fate and climbed into bed. Unfortunately, I could not fall asleep because the intoxicated girl next door was vomiting and yelling at the nurse who was patiently taking care of her. At that point, I was in a terrible mood and angrily cursing Dick's House in my head.
In the middle of my bitter internal monologue, one of the nurses came into my room with another blanket, covered me up and kissed me good night.
While a little strange, this action nevertheless not only made me feel guilty for being so unappreciative of Dick's House, but also gave me the epiphany I had been waiting for. The thing I like most about Dartmouth is that no matter how much I whine and complain, Dartmouth still takes care of me. And you.
And we all certainly love to complain Myself and other opinion columnists included, it seems that almost everyone has something they feel angry about at Dartmouth.
Common conversations on any given day include: Why doesn't our sorority have a house yet? The new dining plan is terrible. This class is too hard. That class is too easy. Why are there no seats available in the library? Odwallas are too expensive. Why is my fraternity on probation? We need more transparency from College administrators. Why is everyone such a social climber? I'm so bored here. I'm too busy here. Student Assembly is ineffective. There is no diversity here. I hate stolen North Face blitzes. There are no alternative social spaces. I hate how there are never any staples in the Carson basement. This is all so unfair I hate Dartmouth!
It is true that Dartmouth is not perfect by any means. All of these complaints, however, don't necessarily mean that we are too cynical about Dartmouth, but rather that we are perhaps too idealistic. Many of us have such high expectations for Dartmouth and the "college experience" that when something imperfect comes along, we automatically feel as though Dartmouth has failed us.
In doing so, we tend to overlook all of the different resources and privileges at our fingertips that millions of others are not so lucky to have. I truly believe that despite their flaws, Dick's House, Safety and Security, Dartmouth Dining Services, the Office of Residential Life, deans, professors, undergraduate advisors and most Dartmouth students have good intentions and try to provide a solid support system and community for every student here. No matter how trite or insignificant a grievance may be, there is always someone who is willing to listen to you. It is true that complaining doesn't always lead to tangible changes, but even the privilege to express ourselves and have people listen and take our ideas into consideration is not something to take for granted.
I have felt angered by aspects of this college too many times to count, and I wish that I stopped more often and appreciated the countless opportunities provided to help students have a good experience here. I truly feel that people at Dartmouth make a considerable effort to hear the concerns of the student body, from placing students on executive search committees to holding forums and creating task forces designed to address issues like alcohol abuse and sexual assault. For this reason despite our problems with gender issues, social spaces, diversity and everything else at the end of the day I would still recommend Dartmouth to any prospective student who asked.
