Dartblog

For our Dartmouth readers, the last week has been marked by that annual event of self loathing, self promoting, and self doubting more often referred to as fraternity or sorority rush. This rush period is marked by the long anticipated (or dreaded) return of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. “Permanently” derecognized in 1996 after a string of incidents involving bullying, offensive language, and refusal to comply with previous college suspensions, Beta alumni announced their intention to return and reoccupy the house they still owned on Webster Avenue. That decision forced Alpha Xi Delta out of the house that they had been renting, sparking outrage on the part of many Dartmouth women. Despite the petitions and discussion, Beta is returning in full force this weekend. I am relatively ambivalent towards the development. I certainly understand the concern of the female community as the behavior exhibited in fraternities crosses many lines of decency. Yet we women continue to attend these parties and fraternities continue to return to Dartmouth after “permanent derecognition”. Change in this offensive behavior then, must rest not with the college or any institution, but with men themselves. Violence, offensive language, bullying, and purposely overdoing the alcohol in a mix drink are all actions that men must stand up and oppose. I can bemoan the demise of chivalry or the lack of gendered social spaces, but ultimately relations between the sexes are dependent on the individuals involved. Perhaps the Beta men can establish a new more positive reputation for themselves by bringing back the respect that too few women are shown in fraternity basements.