The Student Life Initiative recommendations elicited mixed responses from campus leaders. Although some said that the report was not as controversial as they expected it might be, most agreed that the Greek system would feel the effect of the massive changes in the report if the recommendations were to be enacted.
Most leaders said they were looking forward to the student and administrative dialogue and response in the coming months to determine what form Dartmouth's social and residential life will take.
The substantial changes recommended for the single-sex Greek houses dominated the discussion today, receiving some criticism from students on both sides of the issue, with Greek supporters finding the recommendations too limiting and Greek critics feeling they were not stringent enough.
"It is funny how two different viewpoints can be disappointed at the same time," former president of the Student Assembly Josh Green '00 said.
Some leaders were also disappointed that issues of coeducation, gender relations and sexual abuse -- topics that had surrounded the controversy last February -- were not thoroughly covered in the report.
"There were things left unsaid. I expected more about substantially-coeducational issues," Former President of Panhellenic Council, Kelly Bodio '00 said.
The reactions to other recommendations were more unanimous. Campus leaders, both critics and supporters of an all freshman-dorm, agreed the experiment was a good idea that would determine which system works best for Dartmouth.
Efforts to increase racial and ethnic diversity and plans to launch a World Cultures Initiative were also recommendations appreciated by most.
Greek changes
While Greek leaders were relieved that the recommendations did not call for a complete end to the single-sex CFS system, some others were disappointed with plans to keep the system intact.
Although leaders interviewed by The Dartmouth who were calling for the elimination for the Greek system agreed that the recommendations were a step in the right direction, they felt that greater measures need to be implemented to change the Dartmouth culture.
"The recommendations could've been more extreme with the Greek system," Green said, adding "I feel these mechanisms are likely to fail. They [the steering committee members] recognize the possibility of this too."
Greek members felt the recommendations, although stringent, give the CFS houses an opportunity to respond to the administration's challenges and survive.
President of the Student Assembly, member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and co-chair of the new task force Dean Krishna '00 said Greek houses will stay if they can prove themselves.
Some felt the recommendations did not suggest the implementation of different social options -- something that has been widely talked about and suggested for the last 11 months.
"The recommendations were soft. They seem to be working with the same system," senior Eric Buchman, president of Class of 2000, said.
Greek leaders raised some concern over some of the specific recommendations -- calling for conversion of basements into study lounges, ending pledge period, having UGAs in every CFS houses and placing restrictions which students can live in Greek houses.
The suggestion of having a non-member UGA living in every Greek house received the most criticism, with leaders feeling such a move would undermine the support system of the house.
Former Treasurer of the CFSC and member of Bones Gates Fraternity, Kevan Higgins '00 said, "Most fraternities will not be able to deal with UGAs" in their houses.
Some felt that the specific recommendations were the first step in the administration's plans to eventually phase out Greek life from Dartmouth altogether.
Expressing concern at the recommendations that derecognized CFS houses should not be replaced by others and the Dean of the College should possess the power to call for an end of the Greek system anytime in the next five years, CFSC President Eric Etu '00 said he feels the administration might be trying to phase out the Greek system entirely.
Greek leaders said one of the biggest hurdles for the houses would be the cost of renovation of the houses.
Renovating the physical plants will be a major financial strain which might lead to houses folding, Etu said.
The recommendations outlaw the creation of new Greek houses, thus destroying plans to set-up a seventh sorority. Last fall, about 100 women were turned down bids due to lack of space in the six sororities.
Newly-elected Panhellenic Council President Alexander Kramer '01 said such a move ensures the system will remain exclusive.
Agreement
The experiment to make half the freshmen class live in all-freshman dorms and the others in multi-class dorms received support from the campus leaders interviewed by The Dartmouth. Many agreed the experiment was an interesting way of comparing the two options.
Students agreed that it was in the best long term interests of the College to experiment with such issues, decide what works best and evolve into a stronger institution.
Campus leaders appreciated the recommendation aimed at increasing continuity in housing.
"Thank God we are going to improve continuity of living. I am sick of moving in and out," Green said.
The World Cultures Initiative plan was also appreciated by leaders interviewed by The Dartmouth. They agreed that such a move would increase awareness among Dartmouth students about world cultures and politics.
"As soon as I read about it, a smile came across my face. I'm very excited," Krishna said.
Now what?
All campus leaders subscribing to diverse viewpoints are hoping the Dartmouth community will come together and take an active interest in the Social and Residential Life future of the College. Although no one could predict what the actual plan scheduled to be released in Spring term will look like, all students concurred that a lot will depend on the number of students that express their ideas and concerns.
"It all depends on how active the students get and how convincing we are," Krishna said.
