The Feedback Continues

As the debate on the student life initiative (SLI) enters its second year, student opinion about the steering committee recommendations ranges from passionate defenses of the status quo to outright apathy. There seems to be little consensus when it comes to identifying the key issues. (By contrast, in mid-February the arts and sciences faculty passed a unanimous resolution urging the administration to withdraw recognition of all fraternities and sororities once new living spaces are built.)

Our Whitney Campbell intern, Stephanie Edwards '00, polled numerous students and found, not Surprisingly, the strongest opinions are held by campus leaders. Here's a sampling:

"I was disappointed in the report because I felt that many of the regulations were only a band-aid and not a solution to campus problems. We need to look deeper into Dartmouth's culture and see what causes excessive drinking and try to change behavior that way. I also felt that dwelling on alcohol and the Greek system shifted focus from other, more pressing issues of student life."

Kelly Bodio '00 Presidential Intern; Palaeoopitus; President Emeritus, Panhellenic Council; Delta Delta Delta Sorority

"We need to have more options. Right now athletics is not really an option for the average student. No wonder we are last in the Ivies in terms of general athletics. The next one up from us, Columbia, has twice as much stuff."

Sasha Kraev '01 President, Dartmouth IceHockey Club; HeavyweightCrew; Upper Valley Search &Rescue; Alpha Delta Fraternity

"As a sorority leader, I was disappointed that the committee felt that those in single sex houses were taking 'the less challenging path.' Such a statement is both incorrect and even insulting. We, as sorority women, recognize the importance of a sisterhood where we can share

common concerns and experiences and learn from one another. Most of Dartmouth is 'substantially coeducational.' Single-sex houses just provide another option within the whole of student life."

Elizabeth Kleinerman '01 President, Sigma Delta Sorority

"I was underwhelmed by the report, disappointed that it appeared to be a compromise among campus factions. I think that the trustees should eliminate the Greek system, as this is the only way to facilitate radical change."

Josh Green '00 Sexual Abuse Peer Adviser; Palaeopitus; President Emeritus, Student Assembly

"Right now we are trying to think of ways to make the Dartmouth Outing Club more accessible to the average student. With the availability of additional social space proposed in the SLI, we hope to be able to hold more events open to the whole campus. We hope that a de-emphasis on the Greek system will increase interest in alternative social options like the DOC, but I think that the Greeks should still play a part in campus social life."

Patrick Leslie '01 President, Dartmouth Outing Club

"I feel that the most important part of the report is the call for more social space. There is a lack of student-ran social spaces on this campus, and competition for large community spaces like Collis Commonground is intense."

Emily Anadu '00 Co-Chair, Programming Board; Trustee Committee on Student Affairs; Afro-American Society

"For the first time in years, the Panhellenic Council had to break its policy of guaranteeing bids to all women who rush because there aren't enough sororities to meet demand. The recommendations propose that every person who participates in rush should be guaranteed a bid. At the same time, it continues that no new houses should be founded. Clearly these two proposals cannot coexist."

Eric Etuk '01 President, Coed Fraternity and Sorority Council

Students with an opinion (clockwise from left): Kelly Bodio, Eric Etu, Patrick Leslie and Elizabeth Kleinerman.