It was in 1972 that Dartmouth College first admitted women into the school. Now, 27 years later, the school that inspired the movie “Animal House” is breaking yet another long-standing tradition. And students are raising hell.

President James Wright announced on Feb. 9, a mandate calling for co-educational residential and social systems on its campus in Hanover. It kind of brings toga parties to a whole new level, doesn’t it?

Wright said this mandate will “end the greek system as we know it,” ending over 150 years of single-sex greek life at the college (Des Moines Register, Feb. 11). Trustee Chairman Stephen Bosworth, 1961 alumnus, stated firmly that the plan is “not a referendum, it is going to happen” (The Dartmouth, Feb. 11).

Tap the kegs; this is going to be great.

No, not really. Students at Dartmouth are chanting “Hell, no.” In fact, 83 percent of the students are against the new plan (The Dartmouth, Feb. 12).

Of the 4,300 undergraduate students at Dartmouth, 35 percent are members of one of the 25 single-sex fraternities or sororities (Des Moines Register, Feb. 11).

The College is prepared to spend tens of millions of dollars for the construction of new residential and social space. The vision is aimed at getting the 200 students who live off-campus back on school grounds living in apartments and town-houses in “a safe environment … and eliminating the abuse of alcohol” (The Dartmouth, Feb. 10).

Kevin Gallagher, a senior fraternity member, said it best. “The initiative is prescribed by a group of 40- to 60-year-old men and women who think they can plan the social situation at Dartmouth for a group of 18- to 21-year-olds” (The Dartmouth, Feb. 12). Sound familiar?

It seems that administrators there feel the same way as those here at Iowa State. “These crazy drunken kids need to be policed and whipped into shape.” I vote to ship out about 50 of our DPS officers; these guys (and girls) are too good to be keeping to ourselves. Plus, their hands have got to be cramped from parking ticket duty.

After the announcement last week, members of the Co-ed Fraternity and Sorority Council met and voted to cancel all 21 greek sponsored events for the Winter Carnival held this past weekend, Feb. 12-14 (The Dartmouth, Feb. 11).

CFSC President Jamie Paul, a junior, said the parties were canceled in order “to really show the positive impact that the greek system has on the campus … and to show people what Dartmouth might be like if the option of single-sex greek houses were not there” (The Dartmouth, Feb. 11).

After the meeting, approximately 1,000 students marched to their president’s house, where they stood in the driveway and sang three choruses of the alma mater.

There have also been a 600-student and 900-student strong march and protest, respectively (The Dartmouth, Feb. 11). This kind of stuff makes me wanna go out and burn a bra.

The Psi Upsilon fraternity decided to cancel its 19th annual Winter Carnival keg jumping contest, a fundraiser for elderly homes. Instead, the frat house will hold a public forum regarding the status of the greek system.

In additional efforts, Paul said members of the greek system will engage in a letter writing campaign to alumni, members of the board of trustees and national newspapers to generate support for the greek system. They already have a couple different Web sites for information, surveys and correspondence (The Dartmouth, Feb. 11).

Students aren’t the only ones who are upset. Alumni from across the country are withdrawing pledges from the Alumni Fund (The Dartmouth, Feb. 12).

I’m not greek affiliated, and I can count the number of frat parties I’ve been to on one hand. There’s just so much Keystone one should have to consume in a lifetime.

However, over half of my friends are in the greek system. The students of Dartmouth are standing up for what they believe in and taking action. I applaud them, as should all college students.

Power to the people — even if they’re greeks who want to preserve their right to party!

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Sarah Leonard is a senior in political science and journalism and mass communication from Lawler.