A Student Assembly-sponsored forum concerning the Fall term exclusion of freshmen from Greek house parties digressed into a discussion of the Greek system's role as a campus social option.
SA extracurricular committee co-Chair Jessica Roberts '97, who organized last night's event at Alpha Delta fraternity, said the purpose of the forum was to look at gender equity in the Greek system in relation to the exclusion policy.
But the discussion focused more on issues of Greek life as a social option, covering topics that included rush and pledge periods, sorority parties and the role of the administration in the formation of new undergraduate societies.
The extracurricular committee formed last term to look at student response to the Fall term campus referendum on the Greek system.
Last night's discussion was the fifth in a series titled "Men and Women and the CFS: How well the system serves its students." The forums are being held in residence halls, single-sex and co-ed houses.
Student Assembly President Nicole Artzer '94 opened the forum by discussing the effect the exclusion policy has on gender equity in the social system.
"The administration said that freshmen aren't allowed into houses in the fall, which is a strange statement to begin with since Dartmouth promotes an open environment," she said.
"But happily or unhappily, women can get into any house."
Ted Kovas '94 said that women getting into a party when men are excluded is not a situation unique to the campus environment.
"That's what real life is like," he said, "if you go to a club in New York City, women get in and men get turned away."
Walter Wukasch '94 said the stronger patrolling of the dorms by safety and security officers because of the new alcohol policy causes freshmen to turn to the Greek system for their social options.
"There is a bigger problem now," Wukasch said. "[Previously] there wasn't the push to go to the frats because there were more freshman parties in dorms."
The group also talked about ways to dispel the myths surrounding fraternity parties so freshmen would not feel the need to attend them their first term on campus.
Chris Bartel '94 suggested that CFS members work with the college to organize a group that would talk to freshmen in the fall to answer questions about the Greek system.
The group also talked about the importance of student social organizations on campus, whether they are single sex or co-ed.
Mike Cicerone '94 commented on the impact that a lack of sorority parties has on the campus social atmosphere.
"There is a pressure for CFS houses to provide a social atmosphere that isn't on male turf," he said, "when Sigma Delt has parties, people show up."
