1949

More than most institutions of higher learning, Dartmouth seems to be a lightning rod for controversy. Sometimes the imbroglios are generated from the outside (do you suppose Bill Buckley will ever grow up?). But a fair share are homegrown. If Ernest Martin Hopkins were alive today he'd be rolling over in his grave.

The most recent contretemps, of course, is the Trustees' decision to phase out fraternities "as we know them" and build a new social structure more compatible with a twenty-first century coeducational campus. Leaking this watershed information to students and alumni without an uproar was perhaps impossible, though they could have put a more positive spin on it. ("Spin" may be a four-letter word in Washington but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that everyone thinks about how to put things when talking with family, friends, co-workers, even strangers.)

Of course, the real root of the fraternity problem (and there is a problem) is alcohol. Youngsters on their own for the first time in their lives have always tested their limits and too many exceed them, at the expense of their own health and wellbeing and with the potential of risk to others. Should the College intervene? Certainly every community has an obligation and responsibility to govern itself. That's the democratic way. All-around involvement. The discussion of options. A search for consensus. Then those who are chosen to lead, lead.

Forty-niners are likely to fall on both sides of this discussion. Some with fond memories of fraternity bonding are likely to be up in arms. Others will accept, even encourage, change. A sampling of e-mail responses to a request for reaction includes these.

Rus Blackwood: "This won't win many friends...but fraternities were silly in the 1940s and they are even sillier now."

Matt Fenton, a Zeta Psi, answered, "The new fraternity coeducation decision is just a sign of the times and not necessarily bad. Formerly all-male clubs are admitting women. Women are now being accepted into the mainstream of American business. There isn't any use fighting the inevitable. On the positive side, [it] may help tame some of the bad Animal House antics of the young and immature males at Dartmouth."

And from Dick O'Reilly: "Whenever I have visited the campus during the past 20 years I have been appalled and embarrassed by the condition of both the buildings and the grounds of the fraternity houses. I remember particularly the junk and debris piled outside the Alpha Delt house, but the other houses were just as bad, including my own, Phi Kappa Psi. The only solution to such neglect and indifference...is for the College to own the properties and attend to their maintenance. As far as combining fra- ternity and sorority houses, I would think that is a matter for their respective member- ships to decide, rather than the College, which should limit its dominion to the appearance of the properties....I am assuming the consolidation of fraternities and sororities does not mean cohabitation of men and women members, specifically sleeping together. I have always favored abolishing living in the fraternities. Whatever the gender mix, let the houses serve as social clubs only, with the obligation of the members, men or women, to conduct themselves soberly and as civilized adults." The biggest change to a '49er? Today they call 'em frats, a real no-no 50 years ago.

496 Turnpike Road North, Fairlee VT 05045;

DARTMOUTH Class of 1949 June 11-13, 1999