Original Article: http://dartreview.com/archives/1999/03/10/an_03_speaks_out.php
Wednesday, March 10, 1999
I am an early admittant to the Dartmouth class of 2003. I was eagerly anticipating my arrival at Dartmouth and my choice was seeming perfect until Wright and his abominable ideas arrived.
I agree with the plethora of arguments against his decision, but am writing to offer one more reason as to why his and the trustees' decision to abolish the Greek system 'as we know it,' is more than a harmless piece of political trash.Here is an excerpt from a letter I sent President Wright and his cronies:
The proposed abolition of fraternities and sororities is false advertising on the part of the College. It is not right (though it is apparently Wright) to show one item and sell another. It is not right to change the entire atmosphere of the college while never previously alerting applicants.
I selected Dartmouth for many reasons, but I chose it in large part, over Stanford and Princeton, for the fabulous environment provided by its Greek system.
The Greek system holds parts of Dartmouth that I really looked forward to: a group of girls to share a lifetime bond with, a small home within a large campus, and a more thriving social scene than the school alone can provide. If the College wants more social options, then provide more options; don't close off the existing ones.
When I agreed to come to Dartmouth, I was anticipating attending the same school I saw on my visits and heard about from enthusiastic alums. Every early applicant is now bound to Dartmouth while a major part of what we agreed to, even looked forward to, is being ripped away before we even show up on campus. This is False Advertising — at the very least.
In coming to college, I was expecting greater freedom and greater responsibility, not in loco parentis far more strict than my real parents. With these decisions, I feel that the College is treating its students with the same respect parents would a 10-year-old child.
I cannot wait to come to Dartmouth, because I already love much about it, but this action, on the part of the College, gives me considerable pause. I am entirely enraged and disappointed by the hasty decision of the trustees. At the very least, they should alert all future applicants that the change will occur in a few years.
Instead, they have slammed down this decision without even offering a picture of Dartmouth without fraternities to the 300-plus students who have already committed their next four years to the school. Dartmouth's applicants have sharply increased within recent years, indicating that students like what they see at Dartmouth, including the Greek system.
A part of Dartmouth that both my uncle and brother loved, that I was hoping to be a part of for the next four years of my life, is being destroyed. I am severely disappointed with the actions of the College, and am positive I speak for many others.
I know the trustees work hard to do what is 'best' for the College. But this was the wrong move. I urge you to seriously reconsider your decision, without the concern that you might lose face by backing down.'
Please consider the anguish I'm going through, knowing that I'm bound to come to Dartmouth, where I will certainly have to fight my entire four years just to retain the system that made me choose, and grow to love, Dartmouth.
My best wishes to the fighters and enemies of this injustice.