The Undergraduate Chair
Numerous Changes in Dartmouth Life Occur as Summer Terms Get Under Way and Other Impacts of War Are Felt
GUEST EDITOR of The UndergraduateChair this month is Walter Powers Jr. '43,whose father is a member of the Class of1906. He is president of the InterfraternityCouncil, treasurer of Palaeopitus, and stu-dent executive manager assisting Directorof Athletics William H. McCarter '19. Heis a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity andof Casque and Gauntlet.
TODAY AT DARTMOUTH, the "grand old senior" has ceased to exist. There are too many changes taking place for the fourth-year man to sit back in his infinite wisdom and view undergraduate life with the traditional calm detachment. No longer do the seniors talk about what they are going to do after graduation. It is which branch of the service they have joined. The seniors are not the only group who have been affected by the war, naturally, but they are doubly affected by the war and the numerous innovations that have been introduced into Dartmouth, Hanover, and undergraduate life as a whole.
These changes can be seen in every phase of undergraduate activity. The most outstanding change is the summer schedule. For the first time in history Dartmouth is running at full steam during the summer months. When this program was first announced the general student opinion held that there would be a great deal more swimming and softball than class attendance. There were loud protests that no one could be expected to do assignments when the nights would be too hot even to sleep. Certainly more students would be in the Tanzi Brothers' store than in Baker Library.
SUMMER WEATHER PERFECT
At this time, the first seven weeks of the summer term have passed and the dire results that were 'generally predicted have not come true. The professors report that class attendance and the scholastic average is not only better than expected, but in most cases better than in normal times. Also, it won't be violating military secrecy to mention that the weather has not been unbearably hot. On the contrary, so far this summer the weather has been almost perfect, with the exception of one or two New Hampshire rainstorms that clear away the humid atmosphere as well as a few roads.
The first week of the summer program gave the returning students two more changes. First, everyone was notified that they were required to take a series of tests to prove their physical ability. These included swimming, running, jumping, throwing, and climbing a rope. To many this seemed a bit strenuous, and a good number of seniors decided that they wouldn't bother to take the tests. This sentiment was only momentary, for the announcement was made that those who failed to take them were liable to separation. So for a week the fellows who couldn't climb the rope were busily explaining that they easily booted the football beyond the requisite thirty yards.
The second change in the opening week was the new fraternity rushing plan which the Interfraternity Council put into effect. It was successful in curtailing the drinking and money expenses that go with fraternity rushing, but like any new plan it was far from perfect. The main charge leveled against the system was that it led to "cut-throat tactics" that in turn created hard feelings. At present the Council is revising the system so that next fall it will function more smoothly and accomplish the aims of a good, workable system.
Palaeopitus then proceeded to shock the inertia out of any undergraduate organization existing on tradition alone, by abolishing Class Officers. Their functions had gradually shrunk to the point where to be a Class Officer meant that a fellow had won an election and would get his picture in the AEGIS. In addition, Palaeop is now actively engaged in trying to put across a program of undergraduate talks to alumni bodies. Already one such talk has been given, and there are plans for many more.
A great factor in producing more innovations is the transportation problem. Since the boys can't leave college as easily as formerly, many new types of entertainment have sprung up. Every week a large group gathers on the campus for an' event known as the Jam Session. A few of the members of the college bands play any tune, and anyone who wishes may join in the singing, or just listen. There is a large softball league with plenty of competition for the mythical championship of the College. The varsity baseball team has a full summer schedule, and there is the possibility that the lacrosse team will find some opponents before the summer is over. The Recreation Department is featuring a complete program of intramural athletics. And there is now a program in which President Hopkins talks each week to different fraternity groups. All this combined with the speeded-up study schedule gives everyone plenty to do. There is no tremendous amount of spare time.
Recently, two hundred freshmen entered, but to the upperclassmen they didn't seem like freshmen. No little green hats, no freshman-sophomore football rush, no furniture to be moved, and very few cries of "Hey, '46!" With the new ruling allowing freshmen to play on varsity teams, many immediately went out for the baseball squad and others will soon report for summer football practice. They have been so well assimilated, you can't tell a freshman from an upperclassman, for they . don't even have that "green" look by which all freshmen are supposed to be recognized.
Perhaps the most notable change in Hanover is the appearance of a thousand Navy officers, who are here for a course in Naval indoctrination. As this is being written, not all of the student officers have arrived, so there is no way of knowing what the final effect of all these uniforms will be on the undergraduates. Plans have been laid for athletic contests between the Navy and fraternity teams, and the students ■seem anxious to make these men feel at home. But it is a strange sight to see all these officers march across the campus in formation on their way to class. It will take some time to get used to them.
OTHER SIGNS OF CHANGE
Then there are a host of small changes that all have their part in making the Hanover scene different. Confirmed Nugget goers no longer have the opportunity to see shows in the afternoon, as matinees are no longer given. The Hanover Inn is putting in a cocktail lounge. The Dartmouth is printed in a smaller size. The freshmen eat in Thayer Hall, as Commons has been taken over by the Navy. All these things are signs of the constant change. In turn, this change reflects a liberal arts college gearing itself to meet the new situations that it must face with the Nation at war. The fact that the administration and undergraduates are making these necessary innovations, and clearing the deadwood from student activities, is a good indication that the College is alive and aware of the problems that face it. Those who want everything run by tradition are not happy at the thought of a graduation in December, and while it is the natural impulse to resist the overthrowing of traditions, it is a tribute to the students, and the College as a whole, that this impulse has not manifested itself. From top to bottom the desire is evident to change the College to cope with the changing environment. And it is significant that there is more unity and cohesion in Dartmouth than there has been in some time, despite world conditions and the ever-changing character of college life.
STRENUOUS OPENING FOR SUMMER TERM A newspaper cartoonist's conception of the physical ability tests which were required ofall izoo upperclassmen attending the extra semester. The tests, somewhat revised, wererepeated for the freshmen in July.
