<p>I'm debating between Dartmouth and Wellesley. After having read about all of the events that have taken place at Dartmouth related to sexual assault/protests, etc, I'm a bit concerned about the overall safety at Dartmouth College, especially for females. The safety issue is pretty much the only thing keeping me from committing. It seems like Dartmouth is on the decline (drop in applications, rankings, etc) as well. </p>
<p>I'm also curious about whether I would be much safer if I don't rush for any sororities. If I don't participate in Greek activities (which I never planned to anyway), would my safety be much less of a concern?</p>
<p>As a girl, should I choose Wellesley for my own safety? </p>
<p>I never felt less worried than when my daughter was at Dartmouth. One father’s opinion. Note: I refer to myself as a drone parent rather than a helicopter parent if that helps. </p>
<p>Rushing is not really the issue. Not drinking, not drinking to excess, not going to fraternity basements without friends and a plan, and locking your door at night are better approaches. </p>
<p>My D is a senior at Dartmouth. I honestly feel it is the safest campus in the US. First, Hanover has a very low crime rate. In answer to your question, just use good judgement and you will be fine. My D is in a sorority, and she has not had one issue in any frat in her four years. Why? She doesn’t get crazy drunk (although she drinks socially). Her sorority sisters all watch out for each other. Honestly, as a parent, I believe Dartmouth is very safe for females. I’d send her back in a second if we had it to do over again. </p>
<p>I agree with the other two replies. My daughter will be a member of the class of 2018, and is looking forward very much to arriving in Hanover this fall. I am confident in the “overall safety” of Dartmouth for her and her classmates. Otherwise, I would definitely have wanted to dissuade her from even applying. Dartmouth and the town of Hanover are very safe overall. Having said that, students need to learn and practice basic behaviors to help ensure the safety of themselves and their peers. And that’s really the case not only on campus (whatever campus that may be) but also out in the “real world.” </p>
<p>Regarding sororities, if you do attend Dartmouth, you would probably be best served by having an open mind when you arrive on campus. Rush does not occur until sophomore year. You have plenty of time to decide whether or not to rush a sorority (or a co-ed house) and if so, which one(s) you would like to join. Maybe you will, maybe you won’t; but you don’t have to decide until you know far more about the college, sororities and yourself.</p>
<p>Lastly, while there has been recent press coverage regarding sexual assault issues at Dartmouth (and at other colleges), Dartmouth is in the midst of adopting new, much tougher disciplinary rules on sexual assault. As at other schools, the campus is also focusing a lot of additional effort on education and prevention. The result may well be that Dartmouth will be safer than many of its peer colleges in this area. Also, always remember that protests can indicate the existence of problems, but they also indicate a passionate group of students who are taking steps to address problems. </p>
<p>Class of '67, Tuck '68, the all male era: I always felt the experience was all about the attainment of knowledge. I was a philosophy major, economics minor, and a frat member. I “retired at 38” to become a private investor and traveler. If you want to be successful go to class, pay attention and socialize within reason. The thing about the College is the freedom it gives one to achieve extraordinary self-confidence without becoming foolish or boorish. It offers a most complete and well balanced environment for self discovery.</p>
<p>Well, a good friend of my daughter’s was sexually assaulted at a frat Winter Carnival weekend, by a student from another university (so not subject to disciplinary action by Dartmouth). Yes, it was Winter Carnival, and yes, alcohol was involved, but yes, it happens. I hope that Dartmouth does change its culture, but in the meantime, it’s prudent to be careful. I have no idea if there is more or less drinking at Dartmouth than elsewhere; people assure me it’s all the same everywhere; but that there is drinking and associated dangers cannot be denied. And it’s not enough to say that the responsibility is on women to be careful, not to drink to excess or to attend frat parties–the men have to feel, in their bones, that taking advantage of women who are vulnerable for any reason is wrong. </p>
<p>As for Dartmouth being on the decline, I think that’s wrong; I just posted a news release about a huge new initiative for academic improvement, bolstered by an enormous donation. The new president, Hanlon, is just the right kind of person for Dartmouth, and I think he’ll make a huge difference to the campus focus. The last president, Kim, was a very smart guy but I don’t think he ever got the hang of the place; when he spoke to us, as alums, he talked about the USNWR rankings as if they mattered, without understanding that those rankings don’t reflect Dartmouth’s unique standing as the only Ivy league school that is fundamentally a liberal arts college, rather than a university. It is that uniqueness that makes Dartmouth what it is, not a pale Harvard wanna-be.</p>
<p>“I have no idea if there is more or less drinking at Dartmouth than elsewhere; people assure me it’s all the same everywhere; but that there is drinking and associated dangers cannot be denied. And it’s not enough to say that the responsibility is on women to be careful, not to drink to excess or to attend frat parties–the men have to feel, in their bones, that taking advantage of women who are vulnerable for any reason is wrong.”</p>
<p>I know nothing about Dartmouth other than what I read, but I agree with this statement 100%, and agree that it is not just Dartmouth. I do not know how we have arrived at this point as a society, where men think it is OK to take advantage of women.</p>
<p>CT1417, I would say that that has been the norm since the dawn of time, and that in fact only now are we getting tto the point that it is not accepted. Not the reverse. Now rape is reported. Now women speak up far more about unwanted sexual contact. Which is why it is so much more visible. </p>
<p>My S is at Dartmouth, my D went to Wellesley, and then received her MPH at Dartmouth. Wellesley is a women’s college, very well regarded, but it is women’s college. D was flashed by a creepy young man off campus at Wellesley, so I cannot say the Wellesley bubble will protect you if insulation from boorish men is your priority for attending either school. As the t-shirt reads, “It’s not a girls school without men, it is a women’s college without boys.” They are very different schools, and you cannot go wrong either way. PM me for any other thoughts. I’m probably a drone dad too.</p>
<p>My D, a current sophomore, has never felt concerned for her safety. Granted she’s an introvert who prefers to spend her free time at the wood shop rather than at frat parties, but she feels safe even when traversing campus by herself late at night.</p>
<p>I agree with the comments about the importance of avoiding excessive alcohol consumption, as well as situations where others are getting beyond drunk, and just being aware for your own safety, wherever you go to college. You might be surprised to know that Wellesley’s Clery Report noted 5 forcible sexual offenses for the most recent reportable year. It illustrates the point that even at an all-women’s college you have to practice vigilance. </p>
<p>See
Dartmouth College, which reported in February that undergraduate applications slid 14 percent this year, is now battling online advertisements claiming that the school has a “rape problem.”</p>
<p>@absentions: There are no guarantees anywhere in life. All you can hope for you, your friends and your family is to be aware, be smart, watch out for one another. Whether it be walking across Dartmouth’s or Wellesley’s campus, whether it be the job interview and the uncomfortable invitation for drinks afterward, whether it be the ex-boy/girlfriend who just can’t let you go and begins stalkerish behaviors, or the guys at the job whose off-color jokes aren’t frowned upon by HR or your corporate culture – all manner of things may creep into your space you one day. I’m trying to teach my daughters to recognize what’s appropriate, what social scenarios are risky and to be confident in their strengths and to recognize their weaknesses. But I know I have no guarantees either.</p>
<p>An anecdote of the randomness of danger: When I was a Junior at my HYP college, my friend’s roommate was leaving the main dining commons after dinner and traversing THE central plaza of campus. There must have been 50-60 people walking around. A deranged guy jumped out of some nearby bushes, randomly chose her, attacked her with a metal pipe. He was quickly tackled and police got there in no more than 30 seconds. The student’s skull was fractured and arm was broken. She withdrew and later returned 1.5 years later to complete her studies. * She was just freaking walking home from dinner at one of the most busy areas of campus!* What does this say? It was horrible. But we can’t live in fear. We can arm ourselves with knowledge and wisdom and trustworthy friends to minimize tragedy but randomness occurs to all of us. Good luck w/your decisions.</p>
<p>I had thought they were pretty distinct. Not sure what the significance or relevance of that is to the question about Dartmouth, especially since “randomness occurs to all of us”. </p>
<p>Can Dartmouth folks (I am not one) say they went to a DHP college?</p>
<p>EDIT: I think the risk of safety issues arising from off-campus sources at Dartmouth is relatively low compared to say Yale or other urban Ivies</p>