Editor’s Note: We received this note from Christopher Denton ’72. We felt that Dartmouth students are in need of his wisdom now more than ever. His stories made us long for Old Dartmouth, a place which we have never witnessed, yet still feel a deep connection to. Mr. Denton’s recollections were keenly apposite, and thus struck a chord with members of our staff. So much of what we denounce about today’s Dartmouth culture could be solved by returning to some of these traditions.
The article titled “On Dartmouth’s Modern Prohibition” offers a glimpse into the current state of our customs. We assure Mr. Denton that his Dartmouth will not be forgotten.
Dear The Dartmouth Review,
Between 1968 and 1972, prior to coeducation:
1. Students kept their shotguns and pistols in their rooms. No one was shot.
2. Students in army fatigues walked with their M-1 Gerands over their shoulders on the way to drill at Chase Field.
3. Winter Carnival participants risked life and limb playing all sorts of “dangerous” games, including chariot races, barrel jumping, and snow sculptures.
4. We drove to the Union Village Dam to play frisbee and touch football, swim, and drink beers from kegs.
5. Fraternities were havens of brotherhood.
6. No one defiled the Green with shanty towns.
7. We studied our butts off from Sunday night until Friday at noon.
8. We partied from Friday night to Sunday afternoon.
9. Freshmen had their own teams, and could not play varsity until sophomore year.
10. No “rush” until fall of sophomore year.
11. Everybody played varsity, intramural, or interfraternity sports.
12. No one talked politics until SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) came to Dartmouth and selfishly decided that they liked nothing about Dartmouth.
13. John Sloan Dickey was our president when we arrived. A great man. Kemeny was the president when we graduated, a computer geek.
14. Bonfires were unregulated and brought the freshman class together.
15. Freshmen sports allowed the athletes to make the transition from high school to college.
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