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The Dartmouth
April 23, 2024 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth
Mike A. Hamilton
The Setonian
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Class of 1951 recalls very different Dartmouth

By Mike A. Hamilton | June 10, 2001

As members of the Class of 1951 return to Hanover for their 50th reunion, most will be reminded of the sweeping changes that have transformed the College since their days as undergraduates just after World War II -- among them, coeducation, growth of the student body and increases in the number of faculty, a more diverse applicant pool and many new buildings, to name just a few. According to alumni class president Henry Nachman '51, Dartmouth was "quite a different school back then," noting that the entire social dynamic changed when females were admitted in 1972. Nachman recalls the weekend road trips that many current students have probably heard about.

The Setonian
News

Sigma Nu surprises Greeks

By Mike A. Hamilton | May 15, 2001

Days after Sigma Nu fraternity seceded from the Coed Fraternity Sorority Council, leaders of other Greek houses are describing the move as surprising and perhaps brash while reaffirming their own current commitment to the Council. Speaking to The Dartmouth last week, Sigma Nu president Frank Yoshida '02 had cited recent criticism of the Greek system -- and the ineffectiveness of the CFSC in representing the fraternity's interests -- as the catalyst behind the Thursday secession announcement, which becomes effective June 5th. President of Sigma Delta sorority Betsy Super '02 reaffirmed the difficulties the system is enduring: "I think it's generally just a really hard time to be Greek.

The Setonian
News

Two '04s elected to Ivy Council board

By Mike A. Hamilton | April 16, 2001

Two members of Dartmouth's Class of 2004 were elected to positions on the executive board of the Ivy Council, an organization that brings together student governments from each Ivy League school, by delegates attending a conference this past weekend at Columbia University. Freshmen Stephanie Long and Josh Marcuse, attending their first Ivy Council conference, will serve in the positions of external vice president and internal vice president, respectively, for the next year.

The Setonian
News

Two years later, the SLI keeps a low profile this Carnival

By Mike A. Hamilton | February 9, 2001

Two years ago, the Trustees announced plans for what is now known as the Student Life Initiative -- supposedly the College's most important change since coeducation in 1972 -- inciting members of the Coed Fraternity Sorority Council to cancel all Greek parties during Winter Carnival and replace the traditional Psi Upsilon fraternity keg jump with a pro-Greek student rally. But while the anger towards the Initiative put a damper on Winter Carnival '99, the effects on last year's carnival were either subtle or nonexistent, according to many students -- leading one to believe this year's carnival will be no different. The 1999 announcement threatened the survival of the single-sex Greek system at Dartmouth with its calling for a "substantially co-educational" social life and Chair of the Board of Trustees Stephen Bosworth's statement that the Board would weather any and all opposition to the move. One student described the plan as having been "prescribed by a group of 40- to 60-year old men and women who think they can plan the social situation at Dartmouth for a group of 18 to 21-year- olds." The opposition was apparent during the weekend's opening ceremonies. During President Wright's speech on the Green to approximately 900 students -- many of whom were wearing Greek letters or "Unaffiliated but I support the Greeks" shirts -- heckled and booed when Wright said he would enjoy the weekend despite not being invited to any Greek parties. Just two days before, the CFSC had voted 23-12 to cancel all Greek events that weekend, a bold statement against the proposed Initiative. Last year's Winter Carnival, on the other hand, did not exhibit as much open animosity toward the Initiative, although the weekend's theme of "Lest the Cold Traditions Fail" served as a reminder of recent developments at the College. When asked whether there were any perceived differences between the pre-Initiative Carnival of 1998 and last year's Carnival, many seniors said nothing stood out in particular. "Carnival won't change much because of the Initiative," said Dean Krishna, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the Greek Life Committee . "We're always going to find a way to have our fun." Others were in agreement. One '01 said she felt there might have been more College-sponsored, non-Greek events last year, but added there were no major differences. According to Assistant Dean of Residential Life Cassie Barnhardt, any perceived differences "may be the result of the community coming together in looking for more accountability." In fact, there isn't much evidence to show that things have really changed at all yet for the Winter Carnival tradition. Although the Trustees' recommendations included the removal of all permanent taps from Greek basements -- which was done this last summer -- houses still follow the same regulations with regards to kegs, according to Senior Associate Dean of the College Dan Nelson. So where is the Initiative going right now? According to Dean of the College James Larimore, there are many changes taking place, from improvements in freshmen orientation to the planned establishment of a Kosher/Halal dining area to the planning of the first phase of new residence halls. In addition, there are several committees working on various elements outlined in the Trustees' recommendations.

The Setonian
News

Opening ceremonies stress unity, spirit

By Mike A. Hamilton | February 9, 2001

Although it was the gigantic monolith snow sculpture that towered over attendees at this year's Winter Carnival opening ceremonies, the overarching theme was that of community and togetherness. In contrast to two years ago, when 600 pro-Greek students marched from Webster Avenue to the Green in protest against the Student Life Initiative, this year's ceremonies took place during a more somber time, just two weeks after the tragic, as of now yet-unsolved murders of professors Half and Susanne Zantop. The atmosphere was celebratory, however, as members of winter sports teams paraded from Collis to the center of the Green under the Hanover night sky, carrying flourescent fireworks in hand. Approximately 150 other onlookers stood in front of the sculpture to listen to remarks by Carnival organizers and College President James Wright, and to the music of campus a cappella groups. Following a performance by Final Cut, Amish Parashar '03, one of the weekend's organizers, welcomed everyone to the 91st annual Winter Carnival. Fellow organizer Anne Cloudman '02 said, "Winter Carnival is really about the time students spend here," and called the choice of the sculpture "fitting." "Singular in its name and beauty, it invites introspection," Carnival co-organizer Raymond Gilliar '01said of the monolith's meaning.

The Setonian
News

Afr. Americans have early roots at College

By Mike A. Hamilton | January 15, 2001

As the College this week acknowledges the contributions of Martin Luther King Jr., his legacy necessitates a look back at the history of African-Americans at Dartmouth -- a history both longer and more circuitous than might be expected. The first African-American affiliated with the College was Caleb Watt, who served as founder Eleazar Wheelock's manservant, according to Director of Alumni Relations Nelson Armstrong '71. Despite a charter which prohibits discrimination, there were no African-American graduates until Edward Mitchell in 1824, 55 years after the College's founding. Yet when forces of social change touched the United States, Dartmouth too was affected and undertook serious measures to diversify its campus. According to history professor and College historian Jere Daniell '55, the first thrust toward making diversity a priority on campus was the civil rights movement of the late 1960s.

The Setonian
News

Candidates near end of one of tightest races ever

By Mike A. Hamilton | November 1, 2000

In the political footrace that is the campaign trail, leading candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore are running side by side, according to current polls, with neither one able to gain any significant distance on his opponent. And with only seven days left, the smallest change could spell victory or defeat for either one of them. The question is, how did the race get so close?

The Setonian
News

New committees to push Initiative forward

By Mike A. Hamilton | October 18, 2000

In addition to the recent and potentially significant formation of the Greek Life Committee, the College has formed several new committees to attack issues rooted in both general campus life and the continuing evolution of the Student Life Initiative. The new committees are broken down into two groups -- college committees and committees which have grown out of the Trustees' recommendations on the Student Life Initiative, which were released last January. New college committees include the Financial Aid Office Advising Board and a committee on the newly enacted fireplace moratorium. Committees that are results of the Initiative include the Extended Social Options Committee, the World Cultures Initiative Committee and the First-Year Housing Committee. All of the new committees will include at least one student representative, while some will involve as many as eight. According to Student Assembly President Jorge Miranda '01, a committee that will look at reforming the College's academic advising system is also in the works.

The Setonian
News

Jackson '58 discusses new fame

By Mike A. Hamilton | October 3, 2000

Thomas Penfield Jackson '58 never envisioned himself as a public figure. Nor did he ever expect to work on a case that would garner as much attention as the Microsoft Corporation trial. Indeed, the U.S.

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