KEEPING UP WITH THE COLLEGE
The chief question which has been asked by alumni and even undergraduates of recent years is whether the organizations of the college are keeping up with the college, in its very apparent development. Open to this question, of course, are all the athletic and non-athletic interests, and in the case of the teams and associations roughly grouped under each, there seems to have been marked progress. Our dramatics holds the premier position among college associations, our musical clubs last year won the intercollegiate championship cup, and our various athletic teams are certainly notable.
The other group of organizations which have been constantly questioned are the fraternity chapters. There is a maze of schemes for increasing on the one hand the fraternity influence in the College, and on the other, the non-fraternity balance of power. It is interesting, then, to note the actual figures of fraternity and non-fraternity men in the college, as compiled by the registrar for the last nine years. The figures apply only to the first semesters of the years named:
Number Number Per Year in class pledged cent 1907 357 167 47 1908 334 157 47 1909 309 179 58 1910 398 210 53 1911 425 206 48 1912 405 68 16 1913 382 - - 1914 443 216 48 1915 486 228 47 Average 159 40
From these figures, the most apparent deduction is that while more men are being pledged each year, the percentage of the entering class enrolled in fraternities is steadily decreasing. But no one should assume that the fraternities are becoming more exclusive or snobbish, on the ground of this showing. As a matter of fact, the chapters are even larger this year than ever before,—in fact, as large as they can well become.
If the increase of the college continues, therefore, and the fraternity relationship is assumed as beneficial, there will soon be a place for other chapters in Dartmouth. Agitation in favor of more fraternities has already been started—by non-fraternity men. It is at least a question which must be studied thoroughly by undergraduates and alumni before any definite action is taken or allowed.
