Dean Tuttle's Trinitoninan Columns

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January 24, 2003

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Student leaders lack testosterone

Dear Trinity Men,

In this issue of the Trinitonian you will find a foldout that describes on campus leadership positions available next year. I urge you to bring it with you on your next trip to the bathroom so you can take a good long look at it.

Over the last several years it has been apparent that men on campus are not all that active in many traditional leadership positions and groups: Mentor, RA, TAC, ASR, Student Court, Ambassador, TUVAC, TMN, Trinitonian, etc. That's a shame, because there are some excellent role models on campus who have been extremely successful within these groups. They're called women.

With nearly half of the students on campus being male, it would seem logical that men would fill half of the leadership positions. They don't. Certainly there are male leaders in the classroom, on athletic teams, and in fraternities, and a few in the groups listed above, so I know you have it in you.

Even our male RAs have traditionally struggled with basic things, such as posting items on bulletin boards and hosting programs. It's a quizzical concept for many, who just figured that residence hall bulletin board material was posted for the sole purpose of being torn down after a night of revelry.

Our men have cornered the market on being referred to Student Court, and it has been a long time (never) since I've heard of a woman on campus tearing a water fountain off the wall or shooting off a fire extinguisher. Our men host all the parties off campus, are the ones neighbors complain to me about, and have the highest dorm cleaning charges in May.

Nothing against Trinity men, but many don't mature until they are seniors or until after they graduate. Even many of the Lancers turn out to be great guys once they move off campus.

Don't get me wrong - I think guys are great. After many years I am convinced that there are two primary advantages to being a guy: first, guys don't worry about choosing, hanging, or even having drapes, and second, guys don't care about how their feet look. I know the challenges you face - I used to be a guy. I eventually saw the light though, and knew I needed more. So I chose to turn my life over to a higher power: I got married. You still have time, though.

I used to be a guy. I eventually saw the light though, and knew I needed more. So I chose to turn my life over to a higher power: I got married. You still have time, though.

One day this year when I was particularly annoyed at fall-out from an off-campus party, I asked some female students what they thought of fraternity guys. The consensus: "They're pretty funny… harmless." But certainly you can be more than just that. I encourage you to set the bar a little higher. There will be plenty of time to sleep in, crack jokes, play PlayStation, and watch sports once you have a family.

There are great opportunities at Trinity University beyond the athletic field. The world can wait for you to mature into terrific young men. Trinity can't. Get involved.

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