Dean of the College James Larimore admitted that the Steering Committee should be more open with students about its findings when he met with a group of about 30 students at Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity Monday evening. He also made clear that the future of the Greek system is still undecided.
The crowd, mostly comprising members of the Greek system, took turns questioning and criticizing the way in which the Trustees have handled the Five Principles Initiative.
Alex Wilson '01, vice president of the Coed Fraternity Sorority Council, said it was unfair for the Greek system to be confronted with the responsibility of making improvements, when they have not been told either the specific problems of their system or the criteria for evaluation.
Larimore responded with an admission that the Steering Committee should be sharing more of the information that has been collected.
"There really is a need to have the problems articulated," Larimore said.
Larimore, a member of the Steering Committee, offered an explanation for the reasoning behind the secrecy of committee meetings by saying that sometimes members play devil's advocate roles and ask very pointed questions to examine the issue from all sides. The ideas that are discussed do not always represent the opinions of the committee or any actions that are necessarily going to be taken.
Without going into too much detail, Larimore described some of the issues under scrutiny. He listed statistical differences between Greek and non-Greek students vomiting in public, not going to class, involvement in cases of sexual abuse and "co-risk" behavior either bothering or physically endangering nearby people as being concerns.
He cited the popular drinking game, pong, as an indication that students sometimes drink just to get drunk.
Larimore added that the strategy should be to address problem behavior, instead of making negative generalizations about all students who drink.
Larimore also made assurances that the administration did not have a set model in mind for what its wants the College to look like.
"There is not a master plan out there. The best thing is to join in the struggle [to find out the best thing for the College]," he said.
Larimore, calling upon his scholarship with institutions and how they change, advised the Greek system to show an active interest in fixing its problems, instead of just responding to threat.
"It's important for any institution to take a look at what it is you're about, and decide if you're doing it," he said.
When asked, Larimore said he did not know if the Greek system will exist in the future.
"I can't predict where Dartmouth will end up," he said.
"I hope that now will be a turning point. Dartmouth as an institution has to make a judgment call" and choose whether or not to have a Greek system, he added. "If Dartmouth does decide to have one, it should have a good one."
One student pointed out that the Trustees seemed to make it clear that their decision to end the Greek system was final, and that further attempts at verbal or written persuasion were futile.
Larimore said that taking action for reform would be the best hope for the Greek system.
When a student expressed his skepticism, Larimore said, "I ask you for the benefit of the doubt."
"My mind is open at this point," he added, discouraging students from anticipating an outcome that "may or may not be reached."
He said that some houses were in a stronger position than others in the eyes of the Trustees.
Larimore said that because of the fragmentation of the campus caused by the D-Plan, a system that promotes continuity and a sense of belonging is important.
He said there were advocates of the Greek system in the Steering Committee, but they need the support of the Greek system.
"Where we end up could be anywhere," he said.
Afterwards, Wilson, who said he was attending the discussion as an individual and not as a CFSC representative, said that although the discussion did not give him hope about the future of the Greek system, "I am more optimistic of the dialogue between the administration and student body."
Larimore "showed a willingness to talk to students that has not been shown up to this point," he added.
Wilson is a strong advocate of an informed discussion between the Trustees and students to let students know exactly what the Trustees want done.
"The thing I'd most like to see ... is the administration giving us in the form of a report the issues of the Greek system they see as a concern," Wilson said.
"I hope Larimore meant what he said," he added.
Shayan Bhattacharyya '01, programming chair of SAE who arranged the discussion, said he felt positive about the attitude Larimore presented.
"What makes me feel so confident is that he doesn't seem like he has something to hide. He doesn't seem like he has a hidden agenda," he said.
Before the conversation turned to the Initiative issue, Larimore asked for student input for how to make the campus a more interesting place.
He listed building outdoor basketball courts, expanding fitness facility hours and providing full cable access as possibilities.
Larimore also initiated in a discussion about how to improve the first year orientation program so that freshmen would be better prepared for the hazards of College life.
