A Dorm Experiment
MY question is, does France plan to permit England to enter the Common Market? If so, when? And if not, why not?"
The question was addressed to M. Andre Philip, member of the French Chamber of Deputies, when he was guest of honor at a dinner in Cutter Hall last winter.
His answer was phrased with Gallic wit. "It is like the story of the Prodigal Son. He leaves his family and oil he goes to travel another road with new friends, until one day he decides to return. As in the Bible, we throw open our arms in welcome; indeed, we prepare to kill the fatted calf. Then the prodigal son tells us, 'Wait! I am terribly sorry, but I am afraid you will have to buy the calf in New Zealand.' "
The visit of M. Philip was one of many enjoyable and informative occasions that this year's residents of Cutter Hall can look back on. This has been the first year of the Cutter program, introducing a new approach to dormitory life at Dartmouth. Under the program, students sharing an interest in "things international" were able to live together in Cutter and to profit from each other's experience and from a program of speakers, exhibits, books, and magazines.
Before M. Philip came, the British viewpoint had been presented by Roy Jenkins, Member of Parliament, and John Curie, British Consul in Boston. During Fall Houseparties, a dinner was given for David Owen, Director of the United Nations Technical Assistance Fund. Peace Corps executive Samuel Babbitt, and Richard Patch, State Department expert on Latin America, were two in a long list of speakers. India and Pakistan, Cuba, Egypt, Israel — all have been among the topics covered.
Cutter branched out beyond its international theme to offer the hospitality of its visitor's suite to such guests as Professors of Religion and Philosophy Preston Roberts and Abraham Kaplan. Professor Roberts gave part of this year's Ziskind Lectures on "Art and Religion" and Professor Kaplan addressed Great Issues, in addition to their appearances at Cutter.
Jack Gelber, author of The Connection, a contemporary play about dope addiction, showed up early for his visit, and helped put the rugs down.
"Greek Night" was one of several successful programs planned around members of the faculty. Professors Peter A. Bien and Michael E. Choukas '27 came with their wives to a buffet dinner foll owed by a lively discussion on Greece, from Pericles to Phaedra. This included the work of widely-known Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis, which Mr. Bien has translated into English. Sociologist Choukas, with some help from the ladies, hand led questions on present Greek politics, aspirations, and potentialities in an atmosphere of easy conversation.
In Cutter, Time, Harper's, and TheNew Yorker share shelf space and reading time with Realites, Le Monde, DieZeitung, and the London Times, and as many State Department publications.
Titles like Zorba the Greek, World'sGreat Religions, and Inside Russia Today demonstrate the expansion and direction of the library toward the international theme. Shots Heard 'Round the World by former Ambassador Ellis O. Briggs '2l, and Adventures of a Slum Fighter by Charles F. Palmer '18 are examples of books presented to Cutter by visitors and guests.
Pictorial exhibits have been prepared, notably one on Holland by Franz Heyn, one of five foreign students living in Cutt er. Paintings from the College Collection and one-man shows by student artists have been on display in the lounge and hallways.
THE beginning of the Cutter idea was a Tucker Council proposal to make dormitory life a more meaningful part of the undergraduate experience. The "international" theme satisfied the criteria of being sufficiently broad, yet lively and real. As a building, Cutter had the advantage of its large lounge, a faculty apartment which could easily be adapted for use as a guest suite, and additional study, office, and meeting areas in the basement. The forty students selected to pilot the experiment represented almost every major and included members of everything from the football team to the chess club.
Under the chairmanship of William S. Backer '64, the residents set up organizational machinery during the first week to handle publicity, invitations, accommodations, and to oversee the participation of the entire hall.
A question of definition had to be faced. Should Cutter restrict itself to the international theme, or take advant age of opportunities to cover other areas. A broad interpretation was eventually decided on. For example, the performance of a student string quartet was one of the high points of the year. When a group from Knox College came to discuss with students the three-term system, they held their meeting at Cutter. The Freedom Singers, four Negroes telling the integration story on Northern campuses, spoke and sang in the lounge. Folk sings, or "hootenannies," have been held on several weekends.
Cutter is used regularly by the Cosmopolitan Club, and A.I.S.E.C., an organiz ation helping students to get summer jobs overseas, has its office there.
But it is as an informal meeting place that Cutter serves its purpose best. All day, every day, students with a common interest come in contact with each other. The advantages from a social standpoint alone have been significant. Cutter's library, comfortable chairs, and study facilities are making it a campus center for students interested in international relations, history, and government; a place where they can meet and talk over a hot cup of coffee at one of the nightly "coffee breaks."
The time that has passed since the reception for the Japanese-American Roundtable, Cutter's first function last September, has been a time of accomplishment and progress, progress that will continue.
The number of qualified applicants for next year has forced the program to spill over into adjacent North Hall, despite the fact that as many were turned down as were accepted.
Succeeding Backer as chairman will be William B. Nickerson '64, who is also to be chairman of Palaeopitus. Backer will serve next year as president of both the UGC and Casque and Gauntlet.
The idea of extending the Cutter idea to other dorms with other central themes is already being discussed, but for now the story can be summed up by quoting a headline that appeared in The Dartmouth last fall: "Cutter Hall: Successful Start, Bright Future."
M. Andre Philip of France speaking in the Cutter Hall student lounge.
Student officers who have directed Cutter Hall's successful first-year program include(I to r) Jeff Amory '65, assistant chairman; Dave Muhlitner '62, treasurer; Bill Backer'63, chairman; and Bruce Nickerson '64, chairman-elect.
