I was overcome with nausea when reading the March 22 Reseident Coordinator article, which included statements by the tyrannical David Montag of Edens Quadrangle.
I have had little personal interaction with Montag, but I have witnessed so many injustices and so much sketchy behavior that contact with him makes me anticipate my graduation even more. I am an Edens resident who does not live in a selective house but shares the pain of many groups made to appease Montag in my Quad. I have witnessed Montag enter fraternity sections at 2 a.m. (with his dog--what if we were allergic?) only to take keys out of bathroom doors right in front of their owners and require a two page apology and sit down meeting in order to get their key chains back.
Maybe it's just me but in a fraternity section is it really a University concern that keys not be left in the door when the whole floor are males and the keys only work in their bathrooms?
I have attended parties where Montag has appeared bellowing charges of over-occupancy saying that there are at least 87 people here and the occupancy is 86 and that the hallways were not reserved. At that same party I saw him outside the section in the bushes peering into windows to find a reason to break up the party. Looks like policing to me.
I understand that Montag has rules and regulations to uphold but how about common courtesy and genuine respect? If someone is always prying and prodding they will eventually find something wrong and then groups face the UJB.
I do not fear repercussions from Montag because my sorority does not live on West Campus, but I can understand how groups are afraid to expose Montag for fear that the ridicule and observation will be even more focused on their group should they speak out.
There was an Edens petition almost two years ago to remove Montag because of his overbearing treatment, but I'm sure our signatures didn't go very far because he's doing exactly what the University wants him to--policing students.
Most of the new regulations that Montag is so anal about are linked to efforts to decrease alcoholic consumption on campus. Duke should understand that there will always be alcoholics and people who do not exercise good judgment. But what about me? I am an adult, and I just want to be able to have a drink with my friends on campus. I should be able to relax how I choose. I thought East Campus was the dry campus.
Tara Davis
Trinity '04
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