Tuesday, October 23, 2007

My Big Fat Greek Identity

By Daniel Chiu, Contributing Columnist

Guys wearing laminated placards are stealing bright red sirens, while fellows with bad haircuts are walking past mustachioed lunchbox wielders. Yes, it’s that time again, folks. The signs and symbols of pledge term are all over campus, heralding the initiation of yet another class into the ranks of the Dartmouth Greek system. Recent articles published in these very pages reveal that the number of both male and female pledges this year has gone up. Without question, Dartmouth Greek life is stronger than ever. But what might explain the compelling force that drives new rushes to pledge each year? When asked, students often offer the same hackneyed responses we’ve all heard before: because all your friends did it, to increase your social capital, to meet new people, etc. More »

A Message to President Wright

By Phil Aubart, Contributing Columnist

Sir, An era of 1984 Orwellian doublespeak has darkened this little College on a Hill. You, sir, are the main source of this doublespeak. You try to make us see what you, Big Brother, want us to see. You refuse to give the students, staff, faculty and alumni of this College the true and clear picture of the workings of your administration. The best person to lead Dartmouth shouldn’t have to hide his agenda. It is time for a change. More »

Let’s get our vocab right, here

By Liz Kolleeny, The Dartmouth Staff

We, the residents of 9 Prospect St. (Liz Kolleeny ‘08, Anna Stone ‘08, Ty Moddelmog ‘08, Lauren Penneys ‘08, Ursula Grisham ‘08, Emmett Knox ‘08 and John Fleischer ‘08), are usually huge fans of Maggie Severns-O-Neill’s words of wisdom in her weekly column “Cheat Sheet.” This week, however, I feel as though she led the Dartmouth population astray. More »