Opinion Asks
What limits to free speech, if any, are acceptable?
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What limits to free speech, if any, are acceptable?
We asked our opinion staff if class attendance should be a part of one’s grade. Here's what some columnists had to say:
We asked our opinion staff members: If you could change Dartmouth's calendar, would you, and how? Here are some of their responses.
We asked our staff, should Dartmouth improve graduate student-undergraduate interaction?The editorial board weighed in on the matter last Friday.
While I do think Greek leaders should work to make the Greek community more inclusive toward those who identify as gender nonconforming, I think all houses going coed would be a rash response. Despite their many merits, coed houses do not currently provide the same range of social and philanthropic opportunities as single-sex houses. It is possible that other houses may lose this range should they go coed, weakening the system as a whole. Additionally, there are certain merits surrounding camaraderie and, in the case of sororities, female-dominated spaces (and the accompanying social empowerment) that are found in single-sex organizations — the same merits that prompt individuals to pursue other single-sex opportunities such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts or a single-sex education. As someone who always found it easier to make friends with girls and as a result had a disproportionately large amount of female friends growing up, I have enjoyed the newfound sense of brotherhood and male friendship that I have already experienced since joining my fraternity last week.
In light of the College's upcoming massive open online courses, we asked our staff members for their thoughts on the DartmouthX initiative.
In light of recent discussions surrounding potential changes to the Greek system, we asked our staff to reflect on the necessity of reform.
In light of orientation, we asked our staff to reflect on freshman year.
In light of a recent column by Joseph Geller ’16 (“Support Our Sports,” March 25), we asked our staff: If you could change something about Dartmouth, what would it be and why?
In the business environment brought about by our nation's still-stagnant economy, there are few things more important than creating job growth. The College already does an excellent job of preparing its students for success in established fields like banking and consulting; however, the dedication of resources toward fostering entrepreneurship would be a refreshingly admirable and more widely beneficial endeavor. Michael Beechert '16
Dartmouth students will continue binge drinking regardless of the College's policies, and finding more ways to punish them will not improve the situation. Furthermore, Dean Johnson's decision to first publicize these new measures in the midst of the presidential search and during the summer, when most students and the '13 fraternity executives were not on campus, reeks of the same lack of administrative transparency and public relations patching-up that was rampant during President Jim Yong Kim's tenure. Our campus culture will not change unless the administration is willing to have a real conversation with the student body that seeks mutual agreement on how to reduce alcohol-related harm.
At Dartmouth, we have conversations about having conversations. Such meta-discourse is so far removed from any actually helpful initiatives that it almost seems like change is impossible. If change is to be effected, it will not involve more pointless and fruitless discussion. We need detailed plans with plausible mechanisms presented to the student body. Peter Blair '12
President Kim's short time as a leader on campus has limited his ability to see through new and successful plans for the College. Leaving the school at this precarious point in time to a successor who will inherit many challenges will only make the next few years more complicated and difficult for the administration. Leah Feiger '14
The dominance of corporate recruiting can largely be attributed to the desire for financial security, particularly in tumultuous economic times. While it is unfortunate that a number of Dartmouth graduates will forego the pursuit of their passions in favor of a stable corporate career, this is their choice. Corporate recruiting only becomes a problem when the College fails to provide adequate resources for students who are uninterested in taking that route.Keshav Poddar
Though The D's opinion page does have at least some varied political views, I do think that the paper could stand to hear from groups traditionally not represented in our columns. Having more women writers, minority writers, or writers either more radically liberal or conservative than those currently on staff could only serve to lead to more interesting arguments, greater understanding of each other, and a more accurate impression of all the diverse views we have here at Dartmouth. Jacob Batchelor '12
Given the extent to which allegations of assault are based on rumor, it's probably best to consider fraternity boycotts on a case-by-case basis. However, the lack of specific guidelines suggests that the efforts of the Panhellenic presidents' may be largely symbolic. It remains to be seen if this is going to be yet another example of a vaguely-defined policy with no meaningful impact.Roger Lott '14
I would like to see Parkhurst recruit more faculty members who are nationally or internationally recognized for their research. I also hope to see another dining area or cafe available towards the northern side of campus.Yoo Jung Kim
Older students must set examples for underclassmen. We need to hold each other accountable for greater awareness and understanding, as well as a stronger commitment to change. Talking to students where they hang out or live may be a good approach Mentors Against Violence facilitations for new Greek members or freshman floor meeting discussions are great examples of this method but they will only truly be useful if students listen to the ideas that are presented with an open mind and choose to hold their peers to a standard by which sexual assault is unacceptable.Emily Baxter
Before Student Assembly tackles any issues, it first needs to undergo internal reforms so that it can effectively represent student interests to College administrators. The lack of candidates and poor voter turnout in Friday's elections show just how disenchanted Dartmouth students are with the Assembly. If the Assembly is unable to get the student body to rally behind it, there's little hope that it can successfully take on the administration.Ethan Wang
Friday's Verbum Ultimum discussed the restriction preventing formerly suspended students from running for student body president or vice president. What eligibility requirements, if any, should there be for elected Student Assembly positions?