May 20, 2006
TO SOLVE A PROBLEM, LOOK FIRST TO TRADITION
Jewish fraternity rejected again from Dartmouth College (Matt Rand, Jerusalem Post, May 19th, 2006)
Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi apparently won't be throwing any crazy toga parties at Dartmouth College any time soon.Told it "would not be competitive," for a second time the Dartmouth College fraternity council recently blocked Alpha Epsilon Pi from being officially recognized and given colony status at the Hanover, New Hampshire, school two hours north of Boston whose fraternities inspired the film Animal House.
Through a secret ballot, Alpha Epsilon Pi was rejected for membership in the Dartmouth Interfraternity Council for a second time in early May after first being rejected in January.
Alpha Epsilon Pi had been the first fraternity to ask for recognition after Dartmouth trustees lifted the ban on recognizing new fraternities in June 2005, said Interfraternity Council President Alexander Lenz. He said the council intended to reexamine its expansion policy in the next couple of weeks.
While the council originally said it "could not sustain another fraternity," it also conceded that some in the council were uncomfortable admitting a fraternity whose membership was "eighty to ninety percent" Jewish.
Other Dartmouth fraternities which have minority group connections apparently did not have to go through the same process, said Patrick Karas, who is leading the advocacy for the Jewish fraternity's establishment as a "colony" at Dartmouth.
Karas said that Alpha Phi Alpha, a historically African-American fraternity, and Lambda Upsilon Lambda, a Latino fraternity, did not have to get recognition from the same fraternity council Alpha Epsilon Pi now petitions. [...]
Dartmouth Chabad Rabbi Moshe L. Gray expressed disappointment with the rejection, saying the establishment of the Jewish fraternity would be "another opportunity to increase and better Jewish life on campus."
"I think this does not bode well for Dartmouth, nor for the Jewish community here," said Gray. "I'm not sure what kind of message this sends to the broader Jewish community in America."
We are. Something pointed and creative must be done about this. And we think we have found just the man to do it.
Last night, I attended a 28th Anniversary screening of "Animal House" at the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha, Nebraska. Twice a year, the museum holds a charity event, brings in someone associated with the film and shows the film. For "Animal House", they brought in the actor who played Flounder and director John Landis. Both spoke before the film and it was rather entertaining. Landis said he made the movie when he was 27 years old and he said everyone but Donald Sutherland and Belushi were almost unknown and they all had a bunch of fun doing it. He also said he shot it with dark lighting whereas most comedies are filmed in very bright lighting. Believe it or not, Elmer Bernstein did the score. Lots of people were in it who later went on to success (more or less): Pinto, D-Day, Otter, Boone, Karen Allen, Kevin Bacon, et al.
In all, it was fun and although I am 40 years old I have never seen an uncut version of the movie, I have only seen it on tv. I must say, there were a lot more naked breasts in the uncut version than in the ones shown on TBS. Very funny and politically incorrect movie. Nary a mention of the Duke Lacrosse scandal.
Posted by: pchuck at May 20, 2006 10:40 AMSomeone at Alpha Epsilon Pi has probably already given the speech about the Germans attacking Pearl Harbor after the frat committee's vote. Has Dartmouth had its graduation exercises yet (it just seems a little too long to wait until next fall's homecoming).
Posted by: John at May 20, 2006 11:04 AMWhat tradition are you talking about? The one of the Ivy League and it's acceptance of anti-Semitism? Or the more general one of keeping out "those people"l?
(And the key to knowing how badly cut the film is is in the opening. If Bluto, in his first appearance, doesn't give the Flounder and Pinto his special liquid greeting outside the house, all the best parts have been cut out. If Bluto doesn't appear at all, forget it.)
Posted by: Raoul Ortega at May 20, 2006 11:13 AMThis is just recognition by the Dartmouth folks that AEPi is the lame Jewish fraternity. Everyone knows that SigmaAlphaMu is the coolest.
Posted by: Jim in Chicago at May 20, 2006 11:23 AMpchuck:
Whoa, whoa, back up -- they showed Animal House at the Joslyn???
My opinion of the Joslyn just...substantially improved. ;-)
Posted by: Matt Murphy at May 20, 2006 5:53 PMRraaaaaaaaaamiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing Speeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed!
Posted by: Dave W at May 20, 2006 9:54 PMOn a serious note, while Dartmouth is private, it is bound by anti-discrimination laws. A no vote because they were "uncomfortable" about the religious (or etnic?) make up of the frat, is this a violation?
On a less serious note, the "Pearl Harbor" speech by Bluto ranks with Henry's speech at Agincourt as the most thrilling call to action in movie history.
Posted by: Bob at May 21, 2006 12:26 PMFROM THE DESK OF JUSTICE SMITH
JUSTICE SMITH LAW CHAMBERS
LEGAL SOLICITORS/PRIVATE LAWYER
21 MAITAMA AVENUE GARKI
ABUJA LAGOS-NIGERIA.
E-mail: barr_chamber10@ny.com
Dear Friend,
I am Barrister Justice Smith, The Principal Attorney & President in The Chamber, Admitted in Nigeria Bar, 1973, and Education: LL.B Hons. (Lagos), MCI Arb. (London), AMNIM, FCILS; (Salzburg); Notary Public (Managing Partner/Senior Counsel). LANGUAGE: English.
I crave your indulgence for the unsolicited nature of this letter, but it was borne out of desperation and current development. Please bear with me. My name is Barrister Justice Smith a legal practitioner and the personal Attorney to late Mr. Raymond Beck who died in an air crash along With his wife Mrs. Doreen Beck on the 31st October 1999 in an Egyptian airline 1990 with other passengers on board (May their soul rest in peace).I know that my client had no living kin but I went ahead and made several Inquiries to their embassy to locate any of my clients extended relatives but This has proved unsuccessful. You can confirm this from the website below Which was published byBBC.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/world/americas/502503.stm
I only did so to be double sure of this fact. I have contacted you to assist in repatriating the money and property left behind by my client before they get confiscated or declared unserviceable by the bank where these huge deposits were lodged, particularly the Access Bank of Nigeria Plc where the deceased had an account valued at about $45 Million Dollars. The bank has issued me a notice that in the event that no next of kin comes up For the claim, the account will be confiscated after Six years if not Claimed and we have just about few months.
Since I have been unsuccessful in locating the relatives for over three years now I seek your consent to present You as the next of kin of the deceased so that the proceeds of this account valued at US$45 Million Dollars can be paid into your nominated bank account and then you and me can share the money in the mode. 50% shall be for me and 45% for you and 5% shall be map out for expanse that are being made within the transfer. I have all necessary legal documents that can be used to back up any claim we may make. All I require is your honest co-operation to enable us seeing this deal through. I guarantee that this will be executed under a legitimate arrangement that will protect you from any breach of the law. Please gets in touch with me by this email address:(barr_chamber10@ny.com) to enable us discuss further. Please your telephone and fax number urgently needed for further discussion.
Regards,
Barrister. Justice Smith, LLB, MLB, LLD (Principal Attorney).
Posted by: BARRISTER JUSTICE SMITH at May 31, 2006 2:47 PM