1948

We have mentioned before, for those of us who have access to the Internet, that there are all kinds of interesting things that go on in Hanover available on the College home page (www.dartmouth.edu) as well as web sites for The Daily Dartmouth (thedartmouth.com) and The Dartmouth Review (dartreview.com) for a completely balanced perspective.

During August, a check of these yielded an interesting happening known as the "Luau Affair." A fraternity and sorority had planned a party with a luau theme. This generated an angry Blitz Mail (campus computer link to all students, faculty, and administration) branding the party as "racist" and "bigotrous" by the president of die Latino fraternity in support of the Hawaiian students on campus who were said to be offended. The Coed Fraternity Sorority Council later announced that die party was cancelled and apologies were made. Most students said they thought there was nothing offensive. The College stayed out of it.

One wonders about such a happening in 1948. We grizzled veterans of WW II would probably have suggested a few places for the offended to put their objections for trying to interfere with a good party. Since then, most of us have probably enjoyed luaus in Hawaii and found them not at all offensive. But, then, we used to like the Indian symbol, too.

It brings up another, more important issue, however. Is the quest for diversity going to result in the Balkanization of the campus and will this be exacerbated by the requests for ethnic/interest housing in the new dorms being planned? The Big Happy Green Family we knew at Dartmouth with administration heavily loaded with alumni is gone. The incoming class is only 7.5 percent legacies. College-age drinking is a concern everywhere. The issue is not how to stamp it out but how to help students make mature decisions about it.

Gil Shattuck observes that the major improvements at the College in recent years have been made for the benefit of the faculty or administration and the quality of student life has fallen well behind. This is undoubtedly what the Trustees are trying to rectify. The Dartmouth experience is every bit as much student life as it is classes and labs. It is what we remember far after the class subjects are forgotten. The purpose of all this is to urge each and every one of you who care about Dartmouth to express your opinion on this vital issue to the College Trustees. Like those who fail to vote, we have little recourse to complain if we haven't made our opinions known.

Sissi and Gil Shattuck were headed back to her native Austria for a month's vacation, reunions and an exhibit of her work in Zagreb, Croatia under the auspices of the Austrian Cultural Office. Sissi has done some lovely sketches of Dartmouth campus scenes. Those who attended the minireunion in October probably got an up-todate report on Eastern Europe from them. Just sorry we missed it. Here's a Big Green Hope that you are well and thriving.

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