1990

In keeping with the theme of this issue, and because of a sudden dearth of reader mail, this month's column is mostly dedicated to sweet memories of a simpler time in our lives. The Class of 1990 arrived on the Hanover Plain at a turbulent time in Dartmouth's history. Our arrival was preceded by the well-publicized shanty incident—an event that no doubt shaped the composition of our class.

The biggest controversy in most of our minds freshman fall was probably rushing the east stands of the football field. We talked about it in our dorm rooms, in the hallways, at meals, and even in the shower. Twenty freshmen were fined $100 for rushing during the Penn game. At another game we spelled out "C.O.S." on the field to voice our disapproval of the administration's judiciary body.

Another big controversy that year was the Alma Mater. You'll remember we were taught to sing "Men of Dartmouth" (now "Dear Old Dartmouth") as early as freshman trips (now first year trips). During Convocation a number of students protested the male-oriented song by refusing to sing. A group calling itself Womben to Overthrow Dartmyth threw simulated bloodied tampons at President David McLaughlin to protest the Alma Mater during Homecoming weekend. Many '90s spent long nights guarding the Homecoming bonfire that week. Even if it was environmentally incorrect, the late nights spent on the Green protecting the product of our labor from those mean old frat boys were a great bonding experience for the class. The Film Society's series that fall was titled "Against the Grain" and the Dartmouth Players performed Ibsen's TheMaster Builder.

In the winter the College hired Buddy Teevens, who would go on to produce a winning football team. A number of us began visiting fraternities and sororities for the first time. Many freshmen spent dreary winter days at the skiway. Winter Carnival's theme was "A Blizzard on Bourbon Street," and a 47 1/2 foot, saxophone-playing snowman was built on the Green. "Safer Sex Kits" became a hot topic of debate—what else does one talk about during a Hanover winter? And the Review made life interesting with stories about the kits and other campus goings-on. Remember the one about the finger floating in a pot of Thayer Dining Hall soup?

I bet most '9os remember spring as the time they spent rushing houses and doing important stuff like carrying lunch boxes and being pledges. James Freedman was selected as the new president in April. The administration began to publicly support the idea of establishing a women's resource center. The Hanover Police ran a sting operation on Green Key weekend, finding several Houses guilty of serving underaged drinkers. More than 60 students, including myself, came down with the measles. Presidential hopefuls passed through Hanover. Gary Hart's campaign never made it out of town.

Reminiscence tidbits: the "grandfather clause" that allowed us to drink in Vermont, the Macintosh Plus and 512Ke, Things FallApart by Chinua Achebe, eating every meal at Full Fare, stocking up at Topside, packing our bodies into dorm hallways to socialize and get a cup of beer.

Finally, some news, since that's why you come back here each month. Lynne Cohen married Rob Koreman '92 on June 26 in Belmont, Mass. They've since moved to Dallas, Texas, where Rob is a flight instructor. At the wedding were Renee Fried, Martin Stephan, and Virginia Maffei. Martin and Virginia were married last month. First-year Harvard Business students are Bill Levin, John Nies,Marc Kramer, and Todd Eagle. First-year at the Tuck School are Meg Devine, JohnBecker, and Jay Davis.

This column may have made you feel nostalgic, but its ability pales in contrast to a fall weekend back in Hanover. Why not come to Homecoming October 29-30? Dartmouth plays Harvard.

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Remember the Review story about the finger floating in a pot of Thayer Dining Hall soup? JOHN ARONSOHN '90