Original Article: http://dartreview.com/archives/2002/04/01/letters_to_the_editor.php
Monday, April 1, 2002
Party On?
Sirs:
I read the article ('Slow Nights at Frat-Less Hamilton College,' TDR 2-4-2002) written about the poor bars and the lousy party places or meeting places for Greek societies here at Hamilton College. I must say I'm surprised that sophomores who apparently were also drinking and driving illegally are so vocal about their own conduct. Yes, I know academics promote freedom of speech, but what about good health habits and healthy lifestyles? Too much emphasis is placed on drinking/partying. When does this become educationally important? When does it become important for students to hear the positives about social life not centered around alcohol? My questions, of course, are rhetorical. I just needed to respond to this article.
Sharon Dicks, NP
Clinton, NY
Sirs:
I spent a great four years at good ol' Ham-Tech, each year observing decline in the social life. It was very interesting to see an off-the-hill perspective that so mirrors what the Hamilton community has felt. I've heard rumors that the Dartmouth administration is considering a similar path—I hope your fate is not the same. Don't get me wrong, I loved my time at Hamilton—and, part of what drew me to Hamilton was the anti-Greek policy (however, a pre-frosh [and her parents] have a different point of view than a college student) and Greek life truly impacted and enhanced my college years.
Please forward your story on to all the Hamilton students and administrators you can find, perhaps you can make a difference. All the best in your own wonderful college experience!
Cheers,
Jessica McGiff H'01
Sirs:
I read your pieces on fraternities at Hamilton and on the ridiculous Winter Carnival, and, I must say, you private school schmucks have it easy. Take a look through UMass's social calendar: http://www.umass.edu/events/calendar2.htm. I defy you to read through a week's worth and not want to vomit. Only the Commonwealth could create a fascist regime like the one we have going here. You think your fraternities have it tough? The only reason we still have frats is our protected legal status at a public school. UMass holds up Hamilton as an example to emulate.
You should thank God everyday that you've escaped the horror of public education. Next year the theater, math, music, dance, and art history departments will nearly cease to exist, losing almost all their state funding and most of their faculty, but Women's Studies, Afro-American Studies, and Social Thought and Political Economy (I'm not kidding—it's essentially a major in socialist and communist political thought) will remain. Oh, and naturally our 2-8 football team gets a new assistant coach—God forbid we put academics before athletics.
The next time you think to whine that your administration is spending money on parties no one goes to, be glad they're not spending it on surveillance cameras to watch the ones people do. Be glad they're relatively open about trying to ruin the Greek houses, rather than simply trying to destroy them financially.
If anyone from your staff wants to come down I-91 to party with us, they're welcome to come.
Jason Fossella
Omega Delta Local Fraternity
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA
Sirs:
I have just finished reading the on-line edition of James Judah's article entitled 'Kick @$$ Party Sputters, Fizzles, Sinks' (TDR 2-4-2002). I would like to take this opportunity to relate my personal experiences as well as the experiences of my house, Panarchy, that relate to Ms. Morgan and her Bigger, Better, Later organization.
Ms. Morgan and BBL have generously provided a total of $1,000 for two Panarchy events this winter. Both events featured DJs and/or bands performing in common areas of the house. Cutting edge electronic music of the variety rarely heard at Dartmouth entertained students well into the night and early morning hours. Food and nonalcoholic beverages were served. The events were both well attended, attracting a combined total of 400-500 students. These events were far from 'juvenile' or 'wasteful.' They provided a place where students could meet, dance, socialize and party without the use of alcohol or drugs.
Bigger, Better, Later has consistently teamed up with Panarchy to host hip, highly anticipated late night events. Ms. Morgan's accessability and friendly demeanor help to cut through the bureaucratic red tape that dooms many cooperative efforts between the administration and the student body. We are all very satisfied with the efforts of Ms. Morgan and we look forward to further cooperation between Panarchy and the office of Bigger, Better, Later.
Sincerely,
Michael P. Semegen '02
Social Chair, Panarchy
Hey there:
I write for the Spectator at Hamilton College and I have a couple questions for you. I read the article by Mr. Begley and Mr. Gorsche and I'm just curious to know if either of them belongs to a fraternity and/or lives in the house at Dartmouth. Also, I'm wondering from where you got your information about the current status of the Hamilton houses. In the article 'Slow Nights at Frat-Less Hamilton College,' you state that the college has done nothing with the acquired houses other than turn one into an administration building. This is untrue as Delta Upsilon, Alpha Delta Phi and Theta Delta Chi are all currently dorms, two of which are handicapped-accessible. Did Mr. Begley and Mr. Gorsche look into the facts, or rather blindly accept the claims of the disgruntled Psi U brothers they partied with? I would appreciate prompt responses to my inquiries, as I am gathering information for an article for the upcoming issue.
Thank you,
Selena Coppock H '02
Grade Inflation
Sirs:
I would like to make a point about your grade inflation article (TDR 3-1-2002). I think a more important thing to look at is grades by department rather than the College as a whole. I know when I was a student in the late Eighties grade inflation was much more pronounced in the social sciences and humanities than in the sciences.
In the plethora of invented disciplines where a diversity buzz word is thrown in front of the word 'studies,' any old collection of words scribbled on a piece of paper often garners an 'A.' It should be obvious that the bastardization of the Dartmouth diploma by nonsense courses the Review often exposes has parallelled grade inflation. The truth is that no matter how sensitive and diverse you are, you cannot fake your way through a physics test.
There is a lot of truth to the fact that all institutions have grade inflation. That is a poor excuse for not having standards. The unfortunate reality is that a system that separates people based on achievement is gone from much of higher education. It is more important now to make sure students feel good with their grades, and what they learn and achievement becomes irrelevant.
However, I would not underestimate the knowledge of employers and graduate schools. I guarantee they know not only average grades at an institution but have an idea of what courses they want to see on an application.
Dartmouth still has an excellent education available, and a grade can still mean something if a student takes the challenge. The key is to make sure every student takes that challenge so all of our diplomas continue to mean something.
Brian F. Sweeney, Jr. '90
Sirs:
While reading the closing paragraphs of your article 'Grades at Dartmouth: on the Rise,' (TDR 3-1-2002), I noticed a mathematical inconsistency in your statistical analysis.
Namely, you state in the second to last paragraph, just below the fold that '...there was a 28% admissions rate....This year, according to the Princeton Review, the admissions rate stands at 23%. So, as grades have risen approximately 43% (using the 1931-32 figure), admissions selectivity has dropped 5% since the early 20's.' It then goes on to conclude that the small drop in selectivity cannot account for the high increase in the average GPA at Dartmouth.
This would be a valid point, except that your wording is misleading. It would have been more accurate to say that selectivity has dropped five percentage points. Had the selectivity actually dropped only 5% (as your article would lead people to believe by its wording and subsequent conclusion), then the admissions rate for this year would have been 26.6% (that is, 95% of the previous 28%). In reality, those five percentage points account for an 18% decrease in selectivity.
Secondly, I would point out that the rise in GPA is not 43%, but 42%. Do the math yourself: (3.31-2.33)/2.33 = .42 = 42%
Granted, the difference between at 42% rise in GPA and an 18% decrease in selectivity doesn't balance out, it does take a great deal of force out of the conclusion put forth at the end of that paragraph.
Please take greater care not to mislead your readers with simple math glitches.
Alex Streeter '03
Whither The Last Word?
Sirs:
What happened to the most enjoyable part of your newspaper? I looked forward to The Last Word. Most of what you print has an air of complaint about it, and I find it disquieting. There is not much happiness or contentment in the pages. There must be something happening on campus with which you agree. I guess the quotes were the thing that was refreshing to me. Even Buckley can find humor somewhere in his discourse. I will look forward to some sanguine pieces in the future.
J. Robert Edwards, M. D. '55, DMS '56
Auburn, IN
Get Well Soon
Hello Kids:
I've been a subscriber to The Dartmouth Review way back when Keeney Jones was a student! You print the best college magazine in the country. I was attending a super-liberal, all-girls school here in Georgia, Agnes Scott, and I withdrew because I could actually smell the brainwashing and lies that were being fed to us. Parents just don't realize what goes on in college anymore. I was appalled at the acceptance of homosexuality and liberalism, which abounds so freely in the name of education. If you happen to disagree with a professor on a certain viewpoint, there goes your grade.
Fortunately, I became very ill and had to withdraw. I thoroughly understand how parents must feel when they send their children off to a 'good' school and the child returns a stranger. Unless good morals and standards are rooted and grounded within a young person, he is bound to fail.
You kids are the best, and I truly love your guts. Right now, I'm sick with lupus and my meds are $610.34 a month, so, when I come into some cash, I'll support your magazine with some funds. Thank you for sending my subscription to me. It makes my day. I love you all.
Loyally,
Melanie Velencia Herring