Destination: Dartmouth and Beyond

Raymond Rodriguez

During the summer before my senior year of high school, I received an invitation from an obscure place in Hanover, NH known as Dartmouth College. The invitation was to “Destination Dartmouth,” a 3-day program for promising students of color to visit the College and explore what it had to offer. I was blown away. Dartmouth offered everything I looked for in a college: excellent off-campus programs, extensive social justice and community service opportunities, and an intimate campus community where I would be more than just a number and instead an individual who could impact the lives of other students. I was ready to submit my application right away, but what I heard from some students made me question my Dartmouth experience.

“This place is not accepting of minorities and gay people, so I would suggest you look at other schools,” my host told me as soon as I arrived for the program. As a person who identifies with both of these groups, I was frightened of what would happen if I decided to apply and then enroll at Dartmouth. Nonetheless, I did apply because I loved the opportunities I would be exposed to, and when I received my acceptance letter and financial aid package I realized it was the only place that I could afford to attend. At the time, I was both frightened and excited. I was afraid of what my experience would be like as an open Latino male, and whether certain opportunities would be hindered because of my identity. I knew for a fact that I was not going to hide my true self as I had for too long, but I also didn’t want to face challenges at a school that had a conservative, racist, and arguably homophobic past.

During Dimensions, I was introduced to the LGBT and Latino communities, both of which showed me the true welcoming and accepting spirit of Dartmouth. This became the foundation of my social experience for the next four years. When I returned home to Miami, I submitted my enrollment notification. Four years later, I am on the verge of graduating from one of the most prestigious institutions in the country with a great appreciation of my time here. And although I am filled with love for the College, I still leave with criticism, hope, and desire for a more inclusive and progressive Dartmouth.

Exclusivity

Throughout my Dartmouth career, I’ve been able to do things I never thought were possible, and took full advantage of the various opportunities offered to me. But I acknowledge that many students do not have the same open gates. Dartmouth seems to invite an exclusivity that leaves many students feeling unwanted, as though they don’t belong here—unvalued even after they’ve been dedicated and committed to the College. A disproportionate level of importance and value is placed on certain organizations and activities, and we too often thrive on being part of exclusive groups that benefit only their members. I’ve been part of these exclusive groups and societies, but I know that many students are being left out and overlooked for superficial reasons. Many are not judged based on their merits and accomplishments, but rather based on the social networks they are a part of and the perception of how they “fit in.” Dartmouth must be a place where everyone feels a part of the community. By valuing the good work of all students, regardless of how prestigious their internships might be or what societies they got into, we can make the College a place where everyone feels included.

The Greek System

The Greek system is one of the most important institutions of the College, and also one of the most exclusive. It is a system that can exclude students due to their socioeconomic status (especially if they can’t afford to join a house) and make them uncomfortable if they fall outside the traditional gender binary. The whole system is based on an assumption of heterosexuality that dictates expectations and a specific culture for both men and women, separately. It can also foster an environment in which members feel entitled to do whatever they wish, and push brothers to dictate the rules of the basement in order to get what they want. I fear for the young men who join houses that completely change them, making them become individuals unrecognizable to their freshmen selves. I believe that the Greek system has the potential to create a culture where men and women can grow and develop their leadership skills and learn from one another, but too often this falls to the wayside. Our system needs to be more diverse and representative of the entire Dartmouth community in terms of race, class, and experiences. If it is going to be a central aspect of the College’s social life, it must ensure that all students, regardless of their ability to pay or other measures, are included and have a place within the structure. I hope that one day the Greek system will find a way to incorporate all of Dartmouth: students of color, international students, students from low-income backgrounds, and LGBT individuals. We live in a world of many identities, one in which we have to interact with members of the opposite sex and all those in the middle. Let’s make the Greek system more representative of our society.

Diversity

Diversity is a buzzword constantly thrown around campus, often losing meaning in the process and confusing students of its importance. Dartmouth is a diverse institution. Students come from all backgrounds, races, socioeconomic classes, sexual orientations, religious affiliations, and locations. But do we appreciate the diversity we have on campus, and do we meet the needs of all these “diverse” students? Over the past four years, there have been too many embarrassing incidents involving bias and racism that have scarred our beloved College. I constantly ask, “What can be done in order to prevent these incidents from happening again?” I still don’t know the answer, but I believe it lies in actively demonstrating how diversity adds to the educational mission of the institution and the personal development of every student. I challenge you and every Dartmouth student to step outside your comfort zones and learn about someone different from you. Through personal connections and acknowledgement of the importance of diversity, I believe we can reduce the incendiary incidents that seem to happen every term.

Privilege

The word privilege is taboo around here. We like to pretend that we are just “regular” individuals, but the truth is that with our Dartmouth education comes a responsibility to improve our world and empower citizens who do not have the same opportunities that we do. Through my work in Admissions, I’ve encountered many students who feel it is their right and guarantee to receive an Ivy League education. We are privileged to be here, considering the countless number of students who would do anything to get into Dartmouth (or any college in general), and we owe much to the people who helped us get here. Acknowledge your place here, and give back as much as you can in whatever way possible. You don’t have to save the world, but by lending a helping hand to the students who feel Dartmouth is not for them, you never know how you might shape the future.

I knew that Dartmouth was not going to be easy. People with my background have a hard time getting into high-caliber institutions, and an even harder time graduating. Coming from a low-income, single parent, Hispanic household where I am the first in my family to go to college, I did not fit the traditional mold of the “Dartmouth Man” about whom so much is said. I knew that I was the opposite of everything that characterized Dartmouth for so long: I was not white, straight (or at least appearing to be), rich, and with a lineage of success. I was different, and for a while I wondered why I was here, if I had a place at the College, and even felt undeserving of being at an elite school. It was here that I became aware of my race, socioeconomic class, and status
as an outsider in a world that privileges the norm and conventional characteristics. I could have decided to accept this; I could have covered up and watered-down my personality, but instead I realized that everyone here has a purpose and was chosen to be part of this institution in order to make a difference in the world.

This realization, along with my desire, motivated me to prove that someone with my background can make a difference both here and beyond. I’ve been fortunate and privileged while at Dartmouth, and I am grateful. I hope all Dartmouth students realize that they are wanted here, regardless of identity, and that Dartmouth can be made one’s own. Challenge traditions, question the norm, and continue to make the College an unconventional place. Many people struggle and suffer due to the ubiquitous fear of differences, and they are in need of our leadership.