A FRATERNITY REVIEW
One Year After Their Postwar Revival Dartmouth Chapters Show Old Faults But Fill Vital Place in Campus Life
MORE THAN A YEAR has slipped by since the postwar fraternities reopened on the campus. Now they are substantial, taking a part in the life of the College and providing a surge of activity which we knew before the war. It is generally accepted that no organization, or group of organizations, will replace the fraternities. They are firmly entrenched, and offer a distinct asset in the life of the undergraduate. It is the foundation for some immutable friendships, cements a feeling of "belonging" to a community group, and lets the shy feel that they are a vital part of an active social composite. In these respects, the fraternities on the Dartmouth campus are successful today, for with some 1300 members, more than ever before in the history of the College they are a powerful factor in Dartmouth life.
The fetus of the modern Dartmouth fraternity was a literary society, founded in 1783. Its purpose was to supplement the curriculum with discussion groups, covering subjects not offered in courses at that time. In 1786, a rival organization sprang up, forming the basis for the modern fraternity competitive spirit. It was not until 1841 that the first Greek letter fraternity, Psi Upsilon, appeared on campus.
With the expansion of intellectual capabilities as their purpose, these societies personified the aims of the contemporary fraternity more than the latter do today. It is in this respect that the failings of the modern fraternity at Dartmouth are most apparent, for they are no longer intellectual stimuli, but social clubs, where members go to escape from the petty irregularities of daily living. The incentive for joining a fraternity has declined from a sound desire to gain stimulating associations, to a place where a retreat from "working like hell" all week may be sanctioned and joined by the other members. This is not to claim that relaxation is not necessary, but it does indicate that some men join solely to have a place for relaxation, and not enough to seek thought-provoking discussion and an exchange of ideas.
Both the 1936 report on fraternities, an exhaustive examination of the fraternal social system, and Dean Neidlinger agree that the houses on the Dartmouth campus contribute nothing to the development of a man's personality. In this regard, the 11-year-old report is valid today, for there is still no conscious effort to correct a man's bad habits, morals or personality conflicts. In some instances, undesirable traits are even enhanced. This tendency may probably be ascribed to the hesitancy of one man, or group of men, to bawl out a "brother" who presents an embarrassing picture for the entire group. It is through the over-aggressive, the militant non-conformists, and the lack of drive on the part of his fraternal associates, that many fraternities garner abuse.
Because fraternities now consist of older men, the shy are not so numerous. With military experience and a few years tucked away, the whole student body seems more self-confident. Still, of course, there are exceptions, and there is no doubt that fraternities push these men to better self-expression. By assigning responsibilities to those who are not assertive, latent leadership ability is fostered, and this undoubtedly helps the retiring student to adjust himself better to the social sphere. It is notable, however, that this is only within the fraternity itself. It is a safe generalization to say that if a man does not enter into campus activities when he is a freshman or early sophomore, he will never become involved but be content to flow along with the every-day stream of college living. Both in fraternities and out, this has been one of the poignant problems of the postwar campus, and it does not relate only to the timid. All extra-curricular activities are understaffed. The men who go out for activities find it easy to join a fraternity, but those who decide not to compete find no incentive to do so after they become members of a fraternal group.
For the past year, fraternity participation in intramural activities has been more than satisfactory. This is the report of the record-keepers in the Intramural Department. There are fewer forfeits in scheduled games, and the Greek-letter societies show tenacity, which is conspicuous by its absence in the dormitory competition. Even if a fraternity loses all of its games, it completes the schedule. Dormitories, on the other hand, quit if they lose one or two games. During the touch-football season, an average of 17 men from each house played in the fraternity contests. This is slightly better than in past years. Of course, 65 men are permitted in a fraternity now, as compared with the pre-war figure of 55.
Other activities have received similar support. The bridge contest, debating, the play contest, and last month, the fraternity hum found eager participants. This is paradoxical when compared with the reluctance of the student body as a whole to engage in activities outside the fraternity circle. The need for a means of group expression cannot be denied, and fraternities provide this medium better than any existing system. Certainly, according to the statistics, the dormitory is no substitute, for its organization and spirit is spasmodic and haphazard. This does not detract from genuine college spirit on the part of everyone, wherever he lives. Enthusiasm for the College does not seem to have declined in the least, although there are those who will argue the point. The fact is that preoccupation with studies might easily be taken as lack of interest in the College. Actually, the expression of school pride is more subdued; he who attacks the College will soon find himself under a bitter assault.
The question of fraternity membership has always been a delicate one here. There are several chapters of national fraternities whose charters exclude men because of race or religion. As an attitude in some fraternities, prejudice is nearly as prevalent as restrictions of this sort indicate. Generally, fraternity members want to take in a man if he is a "good guy," but not regardless of his cultural or racial background.
Speaking before the Dartmouth Alumni Association in Boston last winter on the relationship between a local chapter and the national organization, President Dickey said: "I am making it clear that personally I want the simple assurance that the undergraduates in Dartmouth's fraternities are free to take or to reject any Dartmouth student on the basis of the undergraduates' own preferences and prejudices rather than someone else's. I do not believe that men live without prej- udice, but I do not believe in teaching or imposing prejudice and I believe our men should be permitted to form and vote their own preferences as to their fraternal associates."
Although the conflict between Dartmouth chapters of national fraternities ancl the central organization itself has not developed to the point of explosion, as it did at Amherst early in the spring, several chapters here have announced to the national offices that they will take in whom they please, following President Dickey's beliefs. This is not to say that Greek-letter societies are completely free of intolerance, for there are many individuals who retain violent prejudice as a part of their personal philosophy. The fraternity, broadly speaking, neither stimulates nor retards this vein of thought, but it does continue to practice exclusion because of race. Before the existing condition is rectified, however, the relationship between the chapter and the national organization demands clarification. This course, together with patient teaching in personal tolerance, would make the Dartmouth fraternity a more influential social asset.
When the Boston and New York trains release their flood of femininity for Green Key, Carnival, and Fall Houseparties, the fraternities are in their glory. "It is during these times that they serve as the center of college social life. With dances, buffet suppers and picnics, it is difficult to visualize what a party weekend in Hanover would be without them.
CONDUCT RECORD IMPROVES
Aside from a few minor behavior in- fractions, every fraternity has a fair record compared with other years. Indication of this came on May 7, when President Dickey granted a request that women be permitted to stay in the fraternity houses until 11 p.m. on week-day nights. The previous deadline was 10 p.m.
The extra hour request stems from the Interfraternity Council, which handles liaison between the administration and the fraternities. It is composed of 22 members, the president of each house automatically gaining a seat. Under the new constitution, two members of the Council are elected to the new Undergraduate Congress. The Council this year has been active and effective and, in conjunction with the Interdormitory Council, the most representative body on campus before the new Constitution went into effect.
On the whole, the peculiar Dartmouth system of handling fraternities has been eminently successful. There is vast improvement to be made, and the thought is widespread that fraternities do not contribute as much as they could, either to the lives of the men who join them or to the community.
With meals prohibited in the houses, traffic among the fraternities is stimulated and narrow cliques have less likelihood of development. This has a tendency to boost fellowship among more members of the College community than at any institution where they follow a different system.
Through forums sponsored by the Forensic Union, the fraternity is in the undergraduate eye. Charles F. Camp '42, assistant to Dean Neidlinger, states that fraternities are "picking up all the time," which in spite of fraternal inadequacies, is an encouraging note.
EDITOR OF STUDENT DAILY: Thomas W. Gerber '43 of Suffern, N. Y., whose fraternity review appears here, is a member of Theta Chi. He is a veteran of 23 missions over Germany as an Army B-17 navigator, and is a newly elected member of Palaeopitus and the Undergraduate Council.
THE EASY FELLOWSHIP OF FRATERNITY LIFE, never forgotten in alumni years, is caught in this picture of a student group at the Alpha Delta Phi house. Ripley, Woodward and Smith Halls in the background.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, THE DARTMOUTH
