Alum. council supports diversity
The 97 member Alumni Council passed a resolution last Saturday supporting the principles of an inclusive Dartmouth community similar to those demanded by the protesters several weeks ago. Stating that "The Dartmouth College Alumni Council supports the administration's leadership role in affirming an inclusive Dartmouth community committed to fairness, respect and openness, with no patience or tolerance for bigotry or demeaning behavior," the Alumni council made a statement in strong opposition to sexist, racist and homophobic behavior. The Council passed the resolution because there was concern among its members that the College perception of alumni was that they are a unified voice which supports the Greek system regardless of how Coed Fraternity and Sorority members behave. Director of Alumni Relations Nels Armstrong '71 emphasized that the Council "wants to look toward the future and does not want to have a monolithic voice," adding that the overarching concern of the Council is to keep the idea of community intact. "I think the Alumni Council attempts to support College leadership, particularly in recent times, to have in place a civil society," Armstrong said. Ty Garland '02, one of four student representatives on the council said, "the resolution is appropriate and it's obvious that neither the students, afilliated or not, nor the Council approve of [sexist, racist and homophobic] behavior." According to President of the Alumni Council Missy Attridge '77, the Council and alumni in general hold a variety of opinions on the subject of social life at the College. The resolution was not passed unanimously, although there was a clear majority -- a majority that was described as large enough that it was unnecessary to count votes. Despite the differing views the Council "could agree on the administration trying to promote the principle that every single Dartmouth student is well on campus," Attridge said. "Most alums look back on their time here very dearly," Armstrong said.