Dartmouth's search for social equity continues after 23 years
By Breeanne Clowdus | February 27, 1995There are few topics at Dartmouth that can stir up as much passion as the question of gender equity and the Greek system. At a school where fraternity parties dominate the social scene, meaning parties are inherently on men's "turf," some women say it is difficult to find their own social space on campus. And the issue of whether women are equal members of the campus social scene still remains unresolved after 23 years of coeducation. In the near future, the College must face even more controversial issues, including whether there should be more sororities and whether those new sororities' houses should replace fraternity houses. And of course, always hovering in the background of all these discussions is the larger issue of whether it is best for the College to continue having a single-sex social system. Greek sex equity With 15 fraternities, six sororities, three coed fraternities, two coed undergraduate societies, two historically black fraternities and one historically black sorority on campus, there seems to be no doubt that women at Dartmouth have fewer social options than men -- especially in the Greek system. "The Greek system does not reflect sex equity in terms of actual resources available to men and women students," Dean of Residential Life Mary Turco said.