As advisers to the Greek system at Dartmouth, we find the argument of those who oppose the single sex organizations to be arrogant and intolerant.
The fraternities and sororities cannot be all the things to all people, nor do they claim to be. They are, however, organizations that approximately 50 percent of those on campus who are eligible to join, voluntarily choose to join.
Those who choose to join fraternities and sororities are your typical Dartmouth undergraduates: intelligent, responsible, highly motivated, hard working individuals who participate in a wide variety of activities both on- and off-campus. They are your scholars and athletes, artists and student leaders, and their accomplishments reflect positively upon the College and the community.
To argue that fraternities and sororities should be abolished displays an utter disregard for the intelligence, sensitivity and judgment of those who choose to join them. It displays a self-righteousness that borders on intolerance.
Many members of the Greek system believe there are other special interest groups and student organizations on this campus that divide the community rather than unite it. But, these fraternity and sorority members are tolerant enough and respectful enough of their fellow students that they refrain from calling for the abolition of these groups.
It is too bad that those who oppose the fraternities and sororities cannot demonstrate the same respect and tolerance.
John Engelman '68 is the adviser to Alpha Delta fraternity.
The following advisers signed this column authored by Engelman: Bob Kaiser '39 (Psi Upsilon fraternity), Ed Tuck '50 (Gamma Delta Chi fraternity), Gil Tanis '38 (Sigma Nu fraternity), Jeff Sassorossi '75 (Beta Theta Pi fraternity), Jane Adams (Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority), Carla Manley (Delta Delta Delta sorority), Christen O'Connor '87 and Beth Smith '78 (Epsilon Kappa Theta sorority).
