Dartmouth Launches Effort to Enhance Social and Residential Life

Press Release - February 9, 1999

Hanover, NH -- At its recent meeting, the Dartmouth Board of Trustees established a set of five principles that will characterize the future residential and social life of students at the College. The Trustees asked members of the campus community to join them in a process of discussion about how best to meet these principles and thereby significantly enhance the residential and social experience at the College.

In announcing this Trustee action to students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents, Dartmouth President James Wright said the initiative would be "profoundly important to the College. As a member of this community for the past thirty years, I have seen Dartmouth change many times to meet the challenges of the present and fulfill the promise of the future."

In a statement issued by the Dartmouth Board, the Trustees identified the following five principles:

• There should be greater choice and continuity in residential living and improved residential space.
• There should be additional and improved social spaces controlled by students.
• The system should be substantially coeducational and provide opportunities for greater interaction among all Dartmouth students
• The number of students living off campus should be reduced.
• The abuse and unsafe use of alcohol should be eliminated.

"The achievement of these principles will necessitate changes in the current residential and social system, including the fraternity and sorority system, dining arrangements, and other aspects of student life," the Board said in its statement. President Wright and the Trustees emphasized that the process whereby these principles are achieved will be one of discussion among all members of the Dartmouth community. A new web site, accessed through the Dartmouth home page (http://www.dartmouth.edu/), will soon contain more specific details on the organization of these discussions.

This initiative at Dartmouth comes at a time when the nature and character of campus life across the country has become the subject of national dialogue. President Wright said, "I have no doubt that this initiative will help ensure the Dartmouth experience remains second to none. Dartmouth will become a stronger community, and our students will leave Dartmouth better prepared for the issues and challenges of the 21st century."