The result is a clash between college and fraternity loyalties.
The friendly atmosphere suffers. Though it remains strong on the surface, as is evidenced by the "hello" tradition, it only covers an upperclass apathy pre-vading half of Brown. But the junior year, every class office is held by a non-fraternity man. Among the college's 69 organizations only the Brown key has a strong fraternity representation. While seeking to satisfy social desires, the fraternities have actually weakened the cohesion of the undergraduate body.
The Brown student council--The Camarion Club--works to offset this split. Drawing its membership largely from the independents, the C.C. has a strong influence on the Brown campus. All organizations must submit constitutions to the club before they organize and the faculty is eager to listen to C.C. recomendations. Recently, after a two year absence, keg beer was returned to College Hill at the council's petition. The Camarion is now considering a plan to place Brown under an honor system. Side by side with the student council, the independent, commutor, and fraternity councils attempt to weld the college into one.
Compulsory Chapel
Petty undergraduate restrictions are a further device toward college unity, but most are poorly enforced, Freshmen and sophomores easily flaunt the restrictions on automobiles, and are only caught by having an accident. Though eight o'clock parietal rules are in effect, the quadrangle has three entrances. And Pembroke's is easily accessible. Chapel is compulsory, to be attended once a week, between the final morning class and 12:30 p.m. Refrectory lunch. Most students find it convenient to attend, and, if unable to, can use one of several cuts permitted each term.
Brown stages two "all-college" blasts, one at homecoming in the fall, and the other in the spring. To a man, fraternity member and independent drink together. The quadrangle echoes with the Brown songs that were once scattered over the West side of Providence. At such times the lid is off, Somehow the quad effectively confines and unifies the merrymaking.
There is no question that Brown has risen in inner Ivy circles. With its new building and educational systems, it has established itself as worthy of the Ivy League's respect. Perhaps with the expected success of its "IC" will also come some of the prestige that goes with the Ivy label.
So far, however, 190 years have not yet produced an intellectual product consistently challenging the Ivy's best. Under Wriston's prodding, the Brown man may someday be known as a scholar, but today he is known for nothing specific. Until that hoped-for day of prestige descends up Providence's College Hill Brown will be known as the Ivy's poor relation.