An Early Ghost?
Of late, fraternity news has been of the "I've got some good news and some bad news which do you want first?" sort. Recent frat-related flaps have included opposition to a new housekeeping code for fraternities, continuing criticism of the freshman exclusion policy, and disciplinary sanctions taken by the College against two houses. To judge from the space demoted in the pages of The Dartmouth to the last-mentioned topic, it is the premier issue.
Alcohol-related incidents were the triggers in both Phi Delta Alpha's probation and the suspension of College recognition for Chi Phi (formerly Heorot). According to James Tonkovich, president of the Fraternity Board of Overseers, the suspension is by far the more severe of the two penalties. Terms of probation can vary, but for Phi Delt it has meant, among other things, no alcohol at house functions during fall term, participation by brothers in the College's alcohol-awareness program, and development of community service projects. Tonkovich says that on average a couple of fraternities a year are placed on probation, but that suspension is a penalty that has never, as far as he knows, been invoked before at Dartmouth. Among the privileges lost by Chi Phi (which has a long history of irresponsible behavior) are participation in rush and intrumural athletics, use of the College billing system, and assistance from College offices such as the business manager and campus police. These actions have been interpreted in some places as evidence of a crackdown on fraternities, but (and now for the good news) neither the dean's office nor the leadership of the two houses seems to be casting the sanctions in a negative light.
Assistant Dean Lee Levison, the dean's office liaison with the fraternities, prefers to look at the actions as "strengthening and guiding" mechanisms rather than as prosecutions. Phi Delt president Robert Duncanson '83 said he didn't think his house deserved probation but said, too, that he thought the brotherhood would ultimately benefit from it. And even Chi Phi's approach to suspension seems to be one of optimism working to regain recognition rather than bitterness. A major aspect of the response of both houses to the sanctions is increased involvement in community service, including alcohol education work and volunteer work with Upper Valley social service groups. In fact, the optimism and outreach of both Phi Delt and Chi Phi may be signs of a growing sense of community among all the fraternities. Kappa Alpha Theta held a swimathon to benefit local handicapped youngsters last summer and Beta Theta Pi coordinated a valley-wide Thanksgiving basket project this fall. Other houses are undertaking similar community projects.
Some think of it as mere do-goodism, but we recall that President McLaughlin's inaugural goals included the enhancement of community and greater recognition of "bonds of mutual interest" on campus. Perhaps the ghost of Marley has paid an early visit to Dartmouth?
Fraternity Row's face lift is now complete.Buried utility lines, new street, new sidewalk,and new street lights all contribute to the shinynew look. There's a new sewer line, too.
