Every spring sees the campus covered in brightly colored campaign posters filled with slogans and promises for how one candidate will make Dartmouth a better place. But some issues seem ever-present: the Greek system, student-administration relations, and undergraduate teaching, one issue usually seems to rise above all others each year -- this spring, athletics has risen to the forefront of presidential platforms.
One of the main focuses of Julia Hildreth's '05 campaign is on "spending money on what students want and not on what SA wants." Specifically Hildreth cites the sad state of Dartmouth athletic facilities, vowing to fight for a new fitness center, an improvement that will positively affect a wide cross section of the student body.
"Kresge just won't cut it anymore," Hildreth said.
Ralph Davies '05 vows to increase the funding options for club sports teams (as well as other campus groups such as performance groups and small competitive teams in the Dartmouth Outing Club) through Student Assembly pathways.
The administration, Davies said, has largely neglected the club sports teams at Dartmouth. According to Davies these groups lack a financial fund that they can turn to for support when they need it.
Davies also promises to reach out to the alumni for support in order to encourage the administration to make athletics a higher priority at the College, thus continuing to encourage the participation of young alumni in Dartmouth politics.
"It's something that the alumni care about," Davies said.
David Wolkoff '05, also the creator of the "Big Green Sports Updates" also promises to improve the state of athletics at the College. Wolkoff vows to create a "Friends of Dartmouth Athletics" fund to improve student athletic facilities. Wolkoff also seeks to create more funding options for club sports teams through both Committee on Student Organizations and the Undergraduate Finance Committee.
As in years past, the Greek system remains a popular topic of debate in this year's campaigns. Two years ago the Student Assembly had an anti-Greek leaning; this year each of the candidates has clearly identified himself or herself as pro-Greek.
Presidential candidate James Baehr '05, the only candidate without Greek affiliation, vows to pressure the administration to sign a "Commitment of Greek Support". According to Baehr such a document would force the administration to more actively support the Greek system.
Hildreth, a member of Kappa Delta Epsilon sorority, promises to demand that the administration issue a statement that would acknowledge that the "Greek system is here to stay."
Hildreth proposes to work with the administration to decrease probation, create more manageable punishments, and implement a more smoothly flowing registration process for Greek houses.
Wolkoff, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, says that he will encourage the administration to implement a fine system for "minor" Greek house infractions, replacing the probationary period that is currently placed upon houses for small indiscretions.
Davies, a member of Phi Delta Alpha fraternity, vows to create a better sense of community at the College by encouraging more interaction between different student groups, including that of the Greek houses. He also plans to reach out to the alumni to pressure the administration to be more earnest in establishing a positive relationship with the Greek community.
If the themes of years past remain true to form, it is likely that the loftier promises made in this year's campaigns will remain unfulfilled. Kegs, the Greek system and the budget will continue to be popular topics of debate in next year's campaigns.
Candidates, however, recognize the need to act quickly.
"Accomplishing these goals will mean conducting a thorough search to find committee chairs who are capable of making things happen in a short amount of time," Hildreth said.
