Flyers detailing an unidentified student's experiences pledging an unnamed fraternity were slid under students' doors in the Choates residence hall cluster early Saturday morning. The two-page document, titled "Dartmouth Fraternity Pledge Notes, Fall 2009," states that it was found at a computer terminal by a freshman in the fall of 2009.
The names of the flyer's author, his Greek organization and his fellow pledges are redacted. The document consists mostly of short paragraphs describing the author's pledge term experience and making fun of members of his own pledge class.
"Pledge term has been pretty fun up until now," the author wrote. "We've all fallen into a pretty good rhythm and know what to expect weekly from other fellow pledges."
The document goes on to describe the "countless bootings" the pledges have "endured," describing the behavior of various pledges over the previous week in lewd language.
The paper references house-specific events such as "SuperTails" and a performance by the "Terribelles," as well as certain pledge activities such as growing mustaches and carrying "dented lunch boxes." The descriptions are consistent with pledge term practices at Alpha Delta fraternity.
AD president Tim Connor '13 said he did not know the circumstances surrounding the letter's creation and distribution but is conducting an internal investigation to determine whether the document was written by an AD member.
The document also included derogatory comments about Kappa Kappa Kappa fraternity and Epsilson Kappa Theta sorority.
"I would just like to offer my sincerest apologies on behalf of AD in regards to what was allegedly written," Connor said. "The things written on that paper were disgusting to me and to the rest of the brotherhood. I am doing my best to find out more about the issue internally and would love to cooperate when more information is available."
The author self-identifies as Asian and a "non-er," or non-varsity athlete.
EKT president Carla Galarza '13 said that the notes were offensive not to specific organizations but to women on campus as a whole.
"We do not take personal offense to any of the comments contained in the Pledge Notes,'" Galarza said in a statement to The Dartmouth. "They are simply blind and ignorant repetitions of poisonous stereotypes spread around campus through websites such as Bored at Baker. These stereotypes, as those who are connected with our house are well aware, are not based in the reality of our sisterhood. We do, however, take offense to the views of women this document portrays."
The document attacks women on campus and reduces them to "sexual objects," Galarza said.
"We all know that a Dartmouth woman is much more than that," she said.
Residents of the Choates interviewed by The Dartmouth said that they received the flyer in their rooms on Saturday morning.
Noah Smith '15 said he witnessed a female who appeared to be a student distributing the flyers to individual dorm rooms at approximately 4 a.m.
"I came back, and I saw a girl wandering on my wing," Smith said. "She was just slipping papers under all the doors."
Jesse Steinmetz '15 said the three-year delay between the notes' supposed discovery and their publication last week damages their credibility.
"It kind of did seem fake, but at the same time, it was a very distinct voice," Steinmetz said.
Steinmetz said that the flyer's clear references to names and pledge practices indicated that the author wanted students to identify the described house.
Sam Golini '15 said he was confused by the intent of the flyer.
"I read the first paragraph, and I couldn't tell what it was talking about," he said. "I think it mentioned something about Tri-Kap. I figured it was just dumb. I didn't understand the point."
Golini said he was not aware of any discussion about the flyers among his fellow residents in the Choates.
Panhellenic Council president Sarah Wildes '13 said that Panhell will publish an official response early this week.
Inter-Fraternity Council president Tim Brown '13 and Tri-Kap president Paul Wagdalt '13 did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
