Letters to the Editor
A Vote for the Girls
TO THE EDITOR:
Having just spent another weekend in Hanover watching Dartmouth clobber Brown, two thoughts come to mind. As an unfortunate reminder of advancing age, our seats have now moved to the midfield area where, directly across the aisle from us, the undergraduates held forth. And I noticed that their apathy towards the game on the field approached that which I felt when a student. I have concluded (the sociology department might check this out) that a proper appreciation for football comes only with maturity or senility, as the case may be. In any case, they spent most of their time trooping up and down the aisles, shouting to distant friends, blocking everyone else's view of the field and actually looking interested in the proceedings only when a dog trotted out to join the game (as inevitably happened) or when some fistfight broke out down in some remote area of the stands. Thus, my first suggestion is: limit all undergraduates to the end zones or the West stands or the Hopkins Center (with the game carried over closed circuit TV).
I also noticed that the young ladies who now attend Dartmouth were splendid fans. Several in my immediate neighborhood caught my eye not only for the obvious reasons but also because they were quiet, polite, tolerant (even when their male associates grew profane as they of course did) and attentive to the game itself. The "men of Dartmouth," on the other hand, were mostly involved in going through those miserable years when all males find it necessary to prove their masculinity by loud chatter about sex and drink. One male undergraduate handed my youngest son his "Brown and Serve" tag and was very pleasant indeed but he was far outnumbered by the oafs.
And so I have a second suggestion: in all this grumbling about Dartmouth turning coed, one obvious answer has not yet been discussed. How about making Dartmouth entirely female? Women of that age are better than their male counterparts. The men are busy being "male" while the women are quite relaxed and natural. And God knows they look better.
Were Dartmouth to become entirely female, I would certainly enjoy football weekends up there more than is now the case. I suppose that such a change might result in the elimination of football weekends, but I might troop up to Hanover anyway. Let's put it to a vote (you have mine already).
Weston, Conn.
For Whom the Bell Tolls
TO THE EDITOR:
I have just read thru the October '72 issue of the Alumni Magazine—concentrating particularly on the letters to the editor. From this I gather that the final decision has been made: Dartmouth will no longer tolerate the ROTC operation. I am disturbed.
In the first place, I think the recent past (particularly the many adventures in ethnic studies) makes it quite clear that establishing curricula by way of student referendum is at best of dubious value. However, that fad, like hoola hoops and knickers will pass . . . and rise again.
Of greater importance is the fact that a precedent has been set: any program that attains controversial status may be called forth to show that it commands a significant degree of support on campus lest it be cancelled. I wonder if Professor Kemeny's efforts to establish Dartmouth as a leader in computer science could withstand such an attack. It would not be hard to put forth a number of reasons why computers are evil: they impersonalize people; they lead to economic dislocation and the loss of jobs in certain areas; they make it possible for the government to establish computer data banks that pose a serious threat to personal privacy; and they are absolutely essential in the design of weapons of war in this technological age. Indeed, direct attack on campus computer centers is not unknown in the recent era.
Although military science and computer science are, in some sense, more obvious candidates, no discipline is safe under such ground rules; e.g. computer science cannot exist without mathematics therefore the queen of the sciences must go also. Where does it end?
As an alumnus, I worry about the future of Dartmouth, but as a member of the broader academic community I am seriously concerned about the present state of academic freedom. If Dartmouth dies a little—as it seems to have in this case—we all die a little. We need not ask for whom the bell tolls.
California State UniversitySan Jose, Calif.
"I'll Take the Old"
TO THE EDITOR;
I am sure many alumni are questioning the controversial occurrences on the Hanover Plain these tumultuous days. ROTC was abolished during a frenzy of panic, vindictiveness, and fear of campus militants. Students and faculty protest the war, but only disapprove of the U.S. and South Vietnamese responses to northern escalations, never uttering a word of complaint against the north's invasions of Cambodia and Laos and their latest attacks on the south.
While in Hanover for the Princeton game, my disgust was increased by seeing students standing in front of Hopkins Center passing out auto stickers reading "Keep Burning Babies—Vote for Nixon and Agnew." Then at the game, when Dartmouth had the ball, the cheerleaders, both male and female, actively led the new cheers that have taken the place of the old and famous team cheers that were eliminated as being insulting(?) to the Indians. An example of the new cheers is "Ex-Lax, Ex-Lax, open up the hole!" It was embarrassing and insulting to the spectators many with children in tow, and to the many older alumni. I'm sure my Indian classmate the late Bill Cook, who was so proud of his heritage would have been nauseated—we were.
If this is the new Dartmouth, I'll take the old.
Bedford, Mass.
A Coed Example
TO THE EDITOR:
I was pleased to hear in President Kemeny's address to the Faculty that "Men of Dartmouth" will again be sung at convocation. Even better was it to learn that the women students, far from objecting, have expressed pride, and see no personal slight, in this most traditional of college songs.
Would to God the day may come when our Native American students, feeling themselves so much a part of the College, will generously withdraw their objection to the Indian symbol. In return, the College might give its word never to abuse her traditions which, in any case, change by usage and common consent, not by fiat.
Professor of Classics
Hanover, N. H
English Lost?
TO THE EDITOR:
I realize that there have been a lot of changes at Dartmouth since I was an undergraduate—perhaps more than I realize. Into what are today's students translating Paradise Lost, pray? Has English gone the way of other irrelevant anachronisms?
Chicago, Ill.
Editor's Note: Mr. Huck refers to this sentence in the October UndergraduateChair: "The ranks of supporters swell with students who wish to do something more constructive than a line-by-line translation of Paradise Lost." Could we have been thinking of Dante when that slipped through?
Cover Connoisseur
TO THE EDITOR:
Congratulations on your cover "Coeducation has arrived" for the October Alumni Magazine—an important bit of history well told in three words and a picture.
Bethel, Conn.
Dartmouth Changes
TO THE EDITOR:
My hat is off to Appleton '36 and also to Knight '26 for speaking out regarding the many changes at Dartmouth.
Coeducation, the R.O.T.C. decision, the teaching of Evolution, the supposedly thorough study about the word "Indian," which has been regarded with reverence for over 200 years, a few seemingly more or less radical teachers, certainly have changed Dartmouth from that which we learned and love.
The very superficial study of the use of the word "Indian" indicates to me the real thought which governed action on several other great changes.
I am wondering if the future will bring forth a change in name, future easy of entry, agreements which will result in financial problems, and elimination of the senior canes with the Indian head.
Camp Hill, Pa.
Princeton Game Thoughts
TO THE EDITOR:
While reports of the Dartmouth-Princeton game played in Hanover October 14 have appeared, there were a couple of non- football incidents which occurred during the game about which we would like to make some observations.
In the first place we feel that the police force at the football field should be congratulated upon their swift and effective action in breaking up a small disturbance that very easily could have become grave discourtesy to our Princeton guests. For the benefit of the brothers who were not there we should explain that when the Princeton Band in orange blazers and yellow straw hats were performing on the field at half time, three characters with long hair and dressed like bums rushed out from the Dartmouth side and started knocking the hats off. The police swarmed out immediately and swiftly broke it up, the three culprits fleeing at top speed in all directions. One of them came directly toward where we were sitting, running as fast as he could leg it with three cops hot on his tail but not gaining much until he had to turn in front of the stands at which point one of the cops made a flying tackle and brought him down. It was a scene straight out of the old Keystone Kops movies we used to see in the Nickelodeon in our home town when we were a boy—a whole show for a nickel! We paid more for the show at the game but it was well worth it.
The second incident on which we wish to comment was the skit put on by the Dartmouth Band having to do with selecting a new symbol for the College to replace the Indian. Whether intended to be serious or not, it cast a shade of sadness over the whole event we could not shake. We think there should be some serious second thoughts on this Indian symbol business.
The Indian, as a symbol for Dartmouth College, has historical foundation, has been used a long time and become an ingrained part of its tradition. No doubt there may have been times in the past when the symbol was used in an undignified manner but this could be guarded against in the future without a complete surrender to a mini- minority war party getting a kick out of skulking about in the underbrush whooping and hollering. We should think that the Indian, instead of being incensed to the point of going on the war path, would feel honored to be associated with an institution as distinguished as Dartmouth. Certainly intellectual pursuits must be the main endeavor of any college or university but there is also a place for sentiment and humor in the scheme of things.
The Indian is so much a part of the history and tradition of Dartmouth College that it will take more than a few raiding Redskins to wipe him out. We feel it was too bad when this psychological raid was sprung that some member of the local tribe didn't escape, grab a war bonnet from the wall of the wigwam and rush out on the plain to rally the Dartmouth tribesmen. It is not too late. The trail of the raiding party is still hot and a counter-raid carried out with speed and determination could teach them a lesson and in the process preserve a part of the Dartmouth tradition that is deeply imbedded in the hearts of her tribesmen. Peace, it is wonderful, but who started this fracas anyway?
South Royalton, Vt.
Harvard Post-Mortem
TO THE EDITOR:
For the second year in a row Coach Jake Crouthamel has left a sour taste after the Harvard game.
Last year he accused Harvard of dirty football tactics and this year he said that Harvard was lucky and Dartmouth was the better team. The score was 21-21 and this observer thought Harvard outplayed Dartmouth most of the game.
Be that as it may, Harvard-Dartmouth football is too fine a classic to be marred by the postgame remarks of a coach who lacks courtesy and tact.
Palm Beach, Fla.
TO THE EDITOR:
We are all loyal and enthusiastic alumni, especially when competing against Harvard, lust one "gripe," and for the second successive year—
Why can't Coach Crouthamel play the game as well as he certainly expects of his team?
Wellesley Hills, Mass.
Spirits Revived
TO THE EDITOR:
Just when the flow of discouraging news from Hanover seemed to be peaking, it was heartening to read some items in your November issue indicating that the traditional Dartmouth spirit is resurgent in some stalwart Men of Darmouth. To wit:
(1) The letter from Dan Lindsley '16 regarding ROTC, Indians, coeds and Wah Hoo Wah; (2) The full-page ad of Ellis Briggs and Robert Loeb regarding Indian matters; (3) The fine letter from my classmate Bob Frondorf about the U.S. and the Far East; and (4) the welcome news that men of Dartmouth may still have Men ofDartmouth as their college song.
The College today does belong to the classes, faculty and administration of today, but old grads do feel regretful that old traditions are eroded. My hope is that change will lead to greater excellence and not merely be equated to change itself.
Cohasset, Mass.
