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<p>If you were talking about a campus where such students ARE a critical mass of the student body/culture, you have a point. </p>
<p>However, from what I know about Dartmouth, these activist students are such a tiny minority most Dartmouth students tend to either derive some entertainment/novelty out of it or ignore it altogether and get on with their classes, social activities, sports, etc. </p>
<p>Yeah. I would say the “womyn”/“ableist” crowd represents not much more than a fleck of dandruff on the Dartmouth student body. Brush it off and go back to what you were doing.</p>
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<p>Parents who pay tuition. </p>
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<p>It’s also possible WSJ editorial staff were told to write another red meat editorial to get their regular readers riled up and increase profitable click throughs from everyone else. </p>
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<p>Depends on the parent who pays tuition. Many parents of classmates at my more activist oriented LAC were full pay and felt the campuswide activism was a net positive. </p>
<p>On the other hand, the same parents may be upset at children pulling an Alex Keaton of Family Ties fame and applying to campuses like Princeton, UVA, Notre Dame, etc. Campuses many right-leaning libertarian and conservative HS classmates tended to lean towards. </p>
<p>The students do seem a bit over the top, but arresting them would be, too.</p>
<p>As to what applications dropped, I can tell that I discouraged DS from applying to Dartmouth because of its reputation of fraternity hazing and drinking. Sure, some of that happens elsewhere, but Dartmouth has quite the record in this regard. Good friends with daughters are also discouraging applications.</p>
<p>Until Dartmouth shows a commitment to change that part of its culture, it probably won’t have application numbers rebound.</p>
<p>I’m just glad to see Dartmouth has students who aren’t blind rule followers who genuflect to authority at every opportunity. From what you see here about how people are tailoring their ECs to meet Ivy expectations… it’s good to see there are people with some guts. </p>
<p>I think students have a right to voice their concerns about campus life and get a reasonable and timely response from administrators. But to take over the office of the President of the University over a laundry list of demands that have not yet been agreed upon by the community as a whole? Sounds like “my way or the highway” tactics to me. Isn’t this the same group that disrupted the re-visit day of accepted students last Fall? Hurting the community in this way serves no one well.</p>
<p>Dartmouth’s response is surprising to me. One would think that since this is the second incident they would lower the gauntlet. I don’t think the overly reasonable response helps these students. Many of them will find themselves in corporate america in the not so distant future. How do you think a stunt like this would go over at a major corporation or financial institution? They would be shown the door in a N.Y. second.</p>
<p>@cobrat - I completely agree they are a tiny fraction, but given the news potential applicants can easily, and. Mist likely, are assuming they are bigger. That alone is enough to stay away. </p>
<p>@HarvestMoon1 - Taking over offices are a time honed tradition. They are not, at least at this point, hurting anyone. Part of the college process is to become an adult and there can be other ways kids learn besides in class. </p>
<p>Hopefully it won’t escalate, there will be a peaceful ending as there just about always is with these types of protests. </p>
<p>Taking over administration buildings is an outdated model @psalcal. There hasn’t been much of that in the last decade. Today’s student activists seem more savvy and meet administrators on their own terms. They employ more of a “boardroom” style that involves reasoned discourse and negotiation. At least thats my perception.</p>
<p>And I do not agree that they are not hurting anyone. They are hurting the community as a whole. It’s exam week as far as I know, so this must just be a huge distraction/disruption. And the PR associated with this incident and the last one in the Fall, certainly doesn’t help the institution.</p>
<p>I guess the school or their majors aren’t that difficult if the students have this much time on their hands</p>
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<p>The hardcore among them aren’t likely to go into corporate America if they could help it. Going by what I’ve seen with many activist college classmates, they’re more likely to go into non-profits working on behalf of causes they believe in or do full-time activism type work. </p>
<p>The rest can and do adjust to mainstream corporate norms. Many '60s and 70’s era hippie countercultural dropouts did end up becoming established corporate professionals. The irony is certainly not lost on their children, younger nieces/nephews, and grandkids. </p>
<p>We can agree to disagree on “outdated” but if it truly was disruptive I’m sure the school would have shut it down. I’m sure they are not exactly freaked out about this little tirade. </p>
<p>Do you really think the PR is negative to the school? How? A group of extreme students protesting?? </p>
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<p>They’ve had them back in the '60s…and just like then, many activists felt their tactics and stance were “too genteel” and “too much on the establishment’s terms” for their activism to have meaningful lasting changes or paradigm shifts*. In short, they’re often viewed as ineffectual and “milquetoast activists” by the ones I’ve known in college and to a more limited extent, grad school. </p>
<p>IMO, it takes all kinds to make college campuses and the world work and to remain interesting incubators of innovative provocative debates and activism…even the civil disobedience kind so long as it’s non-violent. Even if I disagree with some/all of the points being advocated. </p>
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<li>A favorite term of 2 Professors I’ve had in college.<br></li>
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<p>I’m wondering if even the most outspoken opponents among the admins/parents are either secretly laughing at the way the protest turned out and how little supportive attention they’re likely getting from the rest of the campus and/or even quietly wondering “Is this the best Dartmouth activists can do??”</p>
<p>Kind of reminds me of this scene from Blackadder:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3jIE3b-bhY”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3jIE3b-bhY</a></p>
<p>FWIW, the editor of the WSJ editorial page, Paul Gigot, is a Dartmouth grad.</p>
<p>^ ^</p>
<p>He graduated in 1977 so he went there when it was still the “old Dartmouth” and fits the political profile of most WSJ readers. He has a past history of serving as a conservative commentator on various news shows. </p>
<p>I find the sarcastic tone of this piece to be distasteful. The basic premise seems to be, “See what you get when you bow to leftist academia and encourage this type of coddled, liberal identity politics.” The author seems to just be using this incident (which sound like a tempest in a teapot really) to prove his larger point that the world as we know it is going to the dogs. While some demands may seem out there, as was suggested above they open a discussion for real accommodations. Really, what is wrong with a gender neutral restroom in locker rooms or dorms? How hard is that. If hetero student athletes are uncomfortable with a gay or lesbian, etc. teammate using the main facilities it seems like it would be a win/win. It shouldn’t be a political issue and certainly doesn’t herald the downfall of Western Civilization. And don’t tell me that Dartmouth doesn’t or shouldn’t admit gay female athletes.</p>
<p>Yes, youth has a way of making over the top political and social stands feel romantic, but it is these types of stands that also contribute to incremental positive change. Back in the day I was involved in the anti apartheid UC divestment protests at Berkeley (1886) where offices and plazas were taken over. Yes, the powers that be called in riot police from 14 different area departments and hauled student away on school buses but things changes and public opinion shifted incrementally and the rest is history. Besides, it’s important for young people to practice having a voice and being brave enough to stand for something . . . even if you think their goals are silly.</p>
<p>Come to think of it maybe it was those leftist professors. 
I happened to be taking a Sociology class from Todd Gitlin at the time and was moved enough by the whole ordeal to get up and speak in front of a lecture hall of hundreds the morning after. Whatever you think of causes, I don’t believe a bit of student free thinking and advocacy is a bad thing. It builds character.</p>
<p>What I want to see is how queer physics differ from straight or transgender physics. I am not too sure these students thought far enough ahead. The ridicule possible from their demands makes them a laughing stock.</p>
<p>I have no faith in the wimpy administration if the students are truly disruptive that the admin would shut it down. Would love to be proved wrong.</p>
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<p>Cool. My Catholic elementary school was strongly supportive of anti-apartheid activism and awareness back when sometime in the early-mid '80s. </p>
<p>Also, nice to see someone who can speak to what going to Berkeley is like during the late 19th century. 
j/k</p>
<p>Hey! Are you calling me old!</p>