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Letters to the Editor

Monday, January 15, 2001

America's Silliest College Newspaper

To the Editor:

I recently quit The Dartmouth newspaper. While their poor editing and general lack of stylistic coaching contributed to my growing dissatisfaction with The D, I was far more upset with their less apparent flaws. First, their non-inclusion policy forbade me to write for other publications. Such a restriction, while obviously intended to keep writers away from the ideologically dissimilar Dartmouth Review, is not conducive towards the improvement of students who wish to join several publications for the experience.

Secondly, while maintaining a tacit disapproval of The Dartmouth Review through their non-inclusion policy, many editors of The Dartmouth staff professed to be uninterested in any alleged rivalry between the two publications. This is highly inconsistent with their actions however, as they gather in a meeting room to pore over each latest addition of The Review. For what? To express their disinterest to each other in greater detail?

Also, the tendency for Dartmouth writers to spout mainstream ideas and concepts without even a hint of irony reeks of apathy and indifference. I may disagree with some of the Dartmouth Review journalists, but I can be sure that when they write an article, they take a steadfast position and that position is one of utmost conviction. Officially writing for The Dartmouth Review now, I can only hope that The D decides to take journalism more seriously and quit running their paper like an outrageously budgeted high-school newsletter.

Sincerely,
Philip Leaman '04
Hanover, New Hampshire


In Search of Soulful Sport

To the Editor:

A page of The Dartmouth Review containing the article 'Real College Football' by Jeffrey Hart (TDR, 10/30/00) was sent to me by a long-time friend with whom I share the sentiments expressed in the article. Is there a coterie of individuals around the country who want to perpetuate the values resident in 'real' football and authentic competition among academic communities, or is it an anachronistic romanticism that is gone forever?

Oberlin, Antioch, Swarthmore, Earlham, Kenyon, etc., etc. have been plowed under by market-driven, competitively oriented, soulless exploitation of athletes, so many of whom are blacks.

Is it possible to have a league or conference of colleges and/or universities who field a team of non-scholarship athletes? Everyone a walk-on athlete—whether football, swimming, gymnastics, soccer, or whatever. Scholarships are available in academic subjects, but 'we focus on learning and call upon [name the sport] to support it.'

Is this a voice in the wilderness?

Sincerely,
Roy Hoch
Aptos, California


Be a Little of What You Can Be

To the Editor:

It's disgraceful that Dartmouth graduates but one student per year (or so) with an Army ROTC commission.

It bespeaks more administration discouragement of any program with a military component. I wonder if freshmen are even informed in a timely fashion of ROTC benefits.

Sincerely,
Quentin Kop '49
San Francisco, California


Dartmouth's Lives

To the Editor:

I have just received the December issue of Dartmouth Life. If I were not a graduate of 1937 and hence unfamiliar with what Dartmouth used to be, I might be overly impressed by the many innovative programs offered to today's undergraduates.

I have no ax to grind here, as long as these ventures are seen as the frosting on the cake and not the cake itself. It would be sad indeed if these technological and aesthetic interests served to obscure the fundamental purpose of a true liberal arts college.

I will continue to divert my contributions from the Alumni Fund to The Review and Hopkins Institute until I see a more equitable balance between liberal and conservative views on campus.

It would be better for all concerned if some of the vapid ideological courses could be gradually phased out in favor of unbiased teaching of sound education. I am not overly optimistic and may not live to see much change, but one can always hope.

Sincerely,
Jacob Mosser '37
Kennebunkport, Maine

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