Letters to the Editor

Boola Moola

Last week I received a personal letter from George Bush, a fellow Yalie whom I have never met.

In it he wrote that some of his classmates had asked for my support in his campaign, and since I had not replied he was writing directly for "personal support, especially in the form of a campaign contribution."

Does Dartmouth impose this kind of obligation on its alumni? I have written the Yale Alumni Association for their view, but if they say yes and you say no, can I change alumni associations?

Strafford, Vt.

Brotherhood

On a recent business trip to Hanover I had the pleasure of visiting my old fraternity house, Beta Theta Pi. I did not know what to expect given all the recent bad publicity fraternities have received. I was impressed!

The house was in excellent physical shape, and there was a feeling of pride that I did not think still existed-Dartmouth pride. If fraternities are sexist, racist, anti-intellectual institutions, then the Beta house is surely an exception to what I consider to be a deception perpetrated by those who have no idea what fraternity life is about.

Being black and in a fraternity during the late 1960s took a certain courage that many of my classmates did not have. I am glad that I never abandoned my fraternity house and that she never abandoned me. If Dartmouth College abandons her fraternity system, Dartmouth will become just another college.

Thank you, Beta Theta Pi, for showing me what brotherhood really means.

Boston, Mass.

[For more on fraternities see "The College" inthis issue, and for more on Beta Theta Pi seeour annual collection of "Bests" Ed.]

I saw an article in the local paper in January, issued by the A.P. from Hanover, New Hampshire, where a faculty committee spokesman, Charles McLane proposed that females should be taken into fraternities and males into sororities. Mr. McLane went on to say, "We're not ordering them to allow the women in, we're just saying that if they don't, the College will withdraw its recognition of the fraternities."

When told that the male and female students desired their fraternities and sororities as is, he had the audacity to state that "we'll be here long after they're gone, holding the institution together"; furthermore, "that if it had been left to the students and the alumni there wouldn't have been any women in the College in the first place!"

I'd like to tell Mr. McLane through this medium, that the students and the alumni will be around long after he's gone-no matter how many years that takes. I think the man has an unmitigated gall as a hireling of the students and the alumni when he says that the faculty will still be here to hold the institution together after the students have gone. Where does he think the students go if they don't go into the alumni body?

I should like to contrast that article with a recent editorial in the Chicago Tribune stating that "clearly, 162 years after Webster made his memorable remark, there are still those who love Dartmouth College. With private universities every where facing rising costs, uncertain enrollment, and stiff competition from publicly financed institutions, Dartmouth and its alumni have set a worthy example for all."

Of course, we need to know that the Tribune editorial is speaking about the fact that Dartmouth College was listed by the Council for Financial Aid to Education as the leader in the percentage of alumni who contributed to their alma mater in 1977-78, a lead over their closest competitors of somewhere about 14 percentage points.

Perhaps the president of Boston University may have something there when he says, "If you have "a college that operates as a pure democracy, you are in trouble."

Administrators manage, faculties teach, and students study. Let's not mix them up!

Statesville, N.C.

[In a report issued in January, the Ad HocFaculty Committee on Fraternities, of whichProfessor McLane was a member,recommended that "no fewer than two-thirds,or 16, of the existing 24 fraternities will admitwomen and men on an equal basis." Thisrecommendation, among many others, was discussedby the trustees at their meeting in lateFebruary, but it was not adopted.

It happens that Government ProfessorMcLane is a Dartmouth alumnus, too-infact, he is A. J. Waring's classmate. Ed.]

The attached editorial appeared in the Birmingham (Ala.) News dated January 22, 1980.

Even way down South, they are wondering just who is in charge!

Birmingham, Ala.

[Commenting on the recommendation for admitting men and women in fraternities and sororities on an equal basis, the Birmingham News said that "while college faculties of latehave not been noted for their wisdom, in thepresent case the professors raise asininity to avirtue." Ed.]

May I share with fellow alumni the remarks of a former registrar of Russell Sage College? She says (in a letter to my wife):

"I don't usually side with the students, but this time I do (about the faculty report on fraternities and sororities at Dartmouth). Despite the theories of the faculty, the students have discovered that there is a difference between male and female and that each 'wants to be alone' at times. The Dartmouth faculty look remarkably silly. It's easier to get a Ph.D. than to learn common sense!"

In an uncertain world, it is always reassuring to know that the faculty will always come out on the side of whatever is at the moment intellectually fashionable.

Clearwater Beach, Fla.

As an alumnus who has always been a staunch supporter of the fraternity system, it gives me great satisfaction to see my Chi Phi chapter back on campus where it had been well ensconced since the turn of the century until the brotherhood chose the primrose path of localism in a display of misguided petulance over dues-paying to the national organization.

Perhaps now that we are in a calmer campus era, the young members finally realize that life is a sequence of dues-paying events and that thousands who came before them have in fact already paid their dues for the privilege of belonging to a fraternity with its opportunities for not only fellowship but leadership in many aspects of life. The national in welcoming back its prodigal Dartmouth chapter has pledged a strong self-help program, which, while holding to the autonomy of the chapter, will furnish it with a thorough education on proper house management and development. I sincerely hope that the College administration is supportive of this most constructive move at a time when the future of fraternities at Dartmouth hangs in the balance, awaiting the recommendations of a campus panel.

The entire world hears about and learns about the occasional excesses of fraternity men because they are good conversation, good press, and even good movie coverage (i.e., AnimalHouse). Often these stories are blown out of all proportion, but let's say that we certainly don't wish to suggest that any right-thinking individual condones them. I endorse all efforts to reduce them to a tolerable minimum which should still require a means of judgment. But let's look at the other and brighter side of the coin. How many times do we hear about the virtues of the fraternity system? How many times do we read about the fraternity man who has grown in stature and humbly attributes a good portion of his maturation and development to his fraternity experience? Perhaps it's not good copy, but if one really wanted to research the issue, there are literally thousands of men and women in this country in leadership positions who would unequivocally give their fraternities and sororities a big vote of gratitude for the lift given by them.

Perhaps other local fraternities may be inclined to return to the national affiliation now that Chi Phi has shown the way. In my estimation the move would be a wise one not only in terms of campus improvement currently called for but also in elevating undergraduate members from a private club membership to this national affiliation in which many an alumnus has discovered quite pleasantly that he was indeed not without a friend and brother in some new life-situation. I am sure that I speak out for many loyal sons of Dartmouth and the fraternity system when I say that feasibility studies to transform fraternity houses into college dormitories should be relegated to the campus incinerator.

Short Hills, N.J.

Left Hanging

I enjoyed the article on Dave Bradley [December issue], as I remember him at Hanover during my freshman year. But I am always left hanging in air by people who are against sin because it's never clear what is to follow. I wish that we needed no fuel at all-of any kind-but certainly no one wants to be blackmailed forever by OPEC. Nuclear power does get around that. OPEC ruins the 160 Marshallese far more thoroughly than the nuclear weapons tests of 35 years ago. So what does Dave recommend? It is only one-half the job to be against something. The other equally important half is to come up with a viable alternative-in peace or war uses. It would be puerile to imagine America could exist in a world where the Soviets had the only nuclear weapons.

Hong Kong

'Pass, Betsy, Pass!'

Recent alumni letters have disparaged the emergence of women's athletics at Dartmouth, and I would like to add my two cents to what is, perhaps, a growing issue. Last February, I returned to Dartmouth for a combination lecture, skiing trip, and stroll down memory lane. I brought along my 14-year-old son Michael, with the ulterior motive of interesting him in the College and vice versa. On our first night in Hanover, we had the choice of amusing ourselves by attending a concert by the Trio Fontanarosa or a debate on nuclear power or a varsity women's hockey game (Dartmouth vs. Harvard.)

My son and I discussed the possibilities of each event and decided that we could always hear chamber music and that we had already made up our minds about nuclear power, but we would probably rarely have a chance to see women play hockey. So-admittedly with a certain sense of male-chauvinist whimsy-we made our way to the spectacular new rink, where we joined an audience of about 30 others (mostly boyfriends and roommates of the players).

To our surprise, we were quickly caught up in the unexpected excitement of the game-a bruising, skillful, see-saw battle that had us standing and cheering. Like the other loyalists we shouted, "Come on, Claudia!" "Go, Green!" and "Pass, Betsy, pass!" At the final buzzer, it was Dartmouth 4, Harvard 3, and a better collegiate hockey game I have seldom seen. Both teams did their respective schools proud. Indeed, the game was infinitely more uplifting than the Dartmouth-Yale varsity football bore I had also taken my son to see in New Haven last fall, a dreary 3-0 win for Yale.

Congratulations, women athletes of Dartmouth! You're in the best tradition of college sports, no matter what your ossified detractors say.

Bridgewater Conn.

Vivid Memories

This is just a short note to tell you how much I enjoyed Jim Epperson's recent article concerning Dartmouth hockey [January/February issue]. As the former publisher and editor of Hockey magazine, I especially appreciated writing that put us right in the stands and on the ice. I was especially moved by the description of Jerry's banquet, which I, most regrettably, missed. Thank you for recreating the moments.

This season's team deserves the tribute of your article appearing during its time. I do believe it is one of the best in years. Co-captains Brownridge and Murphy rank with Dartmouth's finest. We may have to have "born again" Indians to make it to Providence (site of the N.C.A.A. Championship tournament), but it is possible to go all the way.

Dunno how Epperson and the editors survived the now famous weekend with the U.S.A. team on TV, but I feel those victories will add measurably to the status of youth, high school, and college hockey in America. To hell with the N.H.L. Again, thanks.

New London, N.H.

["Jerry's banquet" refers to Professor Epperson's account of the farewell to the late EddieJeremiah '30, coach of the Dartmouth hockeyteam from 1937 to 1967. Ed.]

As another hockey nut, I read with much interest and great appreciation the fine article "SCORE!" by Professor James Epperson in the January/February issue. I would point out that the depiction of his most memorable flurry did occur exactly that way, but that the game was won by Brown, 8-7, in overtime. The game was played on a Saturday and was followed on Tuesday by a quarterfinal ECAC playoff game between the same two teams at Brown. This game also went into overtime, with the final score 5-4 in Brown's favor.

One facet about the true hockey nut is that his recall of games is so vivid that they may well have been played yesterday. However, he should also remember who won.

Rumford R.I.

[Professor Epperson admits that when it comesto hockey his memory is selective, sometimesrecalling what should have happened instead ofwhat did happen. Ed.]

Five Hundred Times

While it is commendable of the Alumni Magazine [January/February issue] to think so highly of the late Walter Lippmann that he should be the only distinguished Hanover Inn "bedfellow" to be listed twice, would it be asking too much for you to spell his name correctly?

Birmingham, Mich.

The Ultimate Goal

Three cheers for the article "Drinking" [January/February issue].

Recovery from alcoholic addiction involves, in great part, a spiritual rebirth. The descent into addiction on the part of our young people is a result of the spiritual poverty of our society. "Getting high" is a way to ease the pain of living in a joyless, materialistic, egocentric society. Education regarding the merits of joyful giving in democratic freedom would help to replace the need for chemical highs with the highs which come from acting the Golden Rule according to our eternal Father as best we can.

It is too bad that it takes so long to discover that ultimate joy lies in service to our fellow man. This is the ultimate goal of liberal education: to produce better men and women to better mankind.

Danbury Conn.

Not Simply Achieved

I learned recently that John S. Holcomb '68 died last October.

Jay was kind, warm, friendly, cheerful, and modest. Everyone seemed to like him immediately. He had a beautiful smile which could melt the sourest spirit. But he was not without his own personal torments. These he seldom mentioned to me, but he spent a decade trying, it seems, to find himself.

My sadness in realizing we will never see his smile again has led me to review some of our correspondence.

From his graduation day I found a brief note, dated June 1968; "Thank you for the camera and for the years here ..." ( I had loaned him my 35mm camera for the commencement weekend).

November 1970: "I have become a vegetarian and I feel much happier (physically) for it, also doing Yoga every day. I feel it is the only way to live, and it beats drugs by a hundred miles easy. I truly miss New England. I love being near Dartmouth, and a part of me wishes it were there."

January 1971: "Enclosed is a recommendation form to Harvard Law School. . . please be Frank about my past shortcomings as well as any present ones I may have. ... I went through a lot of painful learning and growing. . . . Until everyone has the opportunity to learn to love man and nature and life we must all struggle to teach, to bring joy and to change those areas that keep people from enjoying life."

June 1972: "Hope, love, and faith are the best tools, of course. I guess this is obvious, and yet it is so easy to forget."

July 1973, from Tobasco Mexico: " ... I have been learning so much it is hard to put my finger on any one thing. There is the relationship of me and myself, me and other travelers, me and non-tourists, me and different countries, me and loved ones and life back home, me as an American viewing my country from abroad. Once in San Bernardino, who knows? To keep growing, working on myself to be a better person. To help make the world better. ..."

November 1973: "... Of this I must remind myself-neither to feel self-hatred for my weaknesses nor create an illusion that denies or allows me to forget them by a false overextension. We all carry around lots of excess confusion, ignorance, fears, foolishness, all of which cry out for an answer, and yet the simple answer-though often not simply achieved (as it should be)-is love. ..."

These are a few lines from long letters, usually, which catch just a bit of Jay's spirit. May they help to remind us of a friend we should never forget.

Hanover, N.H.

[An obituary for John Holcomb appears in thisissue. Blair Watson is director of DartmouthCollege Films emeritus. Ed.]

The Symbol (cont.)

As one who first came to Dartmouth in the early seventies, it seems to me that debate over the Indian symbol is a permanent part of the Dartmouth experience. The experience would be better, I think, if that were not the case. I admit that I am sympathetic to the Native Americans' position. The Indian symbol perpetuates a myth that helps to obscure present-day realities and acts to inhibit attempts by Native Americans to find a place in this society. To modify the symbol or to promise not to use it in a disparaging manner is of no benefit. The existence of the symbol in any form perpetuates the myth.

The problem, then, is to discover a suitable alternative. To my knowledge there are only two proposed symbols that have received serious consideration: the "Big Green" and the "Woodsmen." The "Big Green" is not acceptable because it is imitative and, if you will, colorless-in itself it connotes no qualities that one would like to have associated with our athletic teams. The "Woodsmen" is inadequate because it lacks a commonly accepted set of connotations and it has no basis in Dartmouth tradition. Besides, it is too hard to say.

We are left, then, with a void, and that is also not acceptable. It is because of this breech that I put forth my proposition. There has been, in recent years, a new type of team name-that is, the naming of teams after inanimate objects. Two examples are the Chicago Fire and the San Jose Quake. It is in the spirit of those names that I offer for consideration the "Dartmouth Granite."

Minneapolis, Minn.

The Alumni Magazine welcomes comment from its readers. For publication, letters should be signed and addressed specifically to the Magazine (not copies of communications to other organizations or individuals). Letters exceeding 400 words in length will be condensed by the editors.