2008 Woodie Awards
EDITORIAL
Creating a lasting tradition
Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: Opinions
As we enter the spring semester and graduation looms in the not so distant future, the ever important question of "What is going on with Senior Steps?" becomes more pressing every day. We all-save a few particularly inebriated members of the Class of 2006-remember what happened last year. The whole town remembers what happened last year. As the powers that be decide the fate or future of this tradition we realize there are several important factors that go into planning a new tradition.
Current students of the College have all heard the stories of the great traditions that came before us and have gone the way of the dinosaur. The automatic reason as to why we do not have the swim across the pond or champagne on the steps anymore is usually some remark about the administration. However, if you actually look at what went on in the past it is quite clear that reckless students ruined these traditions for others. What may have been simple and harmless origins turned into highly expensive traditions for the College in terms of damage and publicity. Furthermore, what type of tradition does not involve the entire senior class?
The new tradition must be carefully crafted so that it does not incur this same type of damage and can actually become a tradition. None of the final day of classes festivities that we are familiar with are all that old; each one a modification of a previous event that got out of control. Safety must also be central to any event, since no senior should end their final day of classes in the hospital for cuts, alcohol or otherwise.
In order to create a tradition that will last more than a few years and involve the entire class, it cannot be based in the absurdity that was the Senior Steps as we saw it last year. As one alum pointed out in a letter to the editor this past fall, no student can claim with any legitimacy a right to behave in the manner we saw last year.
Let's get back to the roots of this tradition. Let's involve the entire class and if possible, the College faculty. The College should revert to the original idea of a champagne toast to the graduating class; a chance for faculty and students alike to congratulate friends and celebrate the end of their college career. Maybe we could even get Bro to lead it. Sadly, this will have to be closely monitored by Security and the Dean of Students Office, but the responsibility of the Class of 2007 and subsequent years after them will ensure a tradition that lasts longer than a fork in Bob's. This alternative is safe, would hopefully involve a greater portion of the class and be a much more fitting end to college.
Still not happy? Still think you deserve to drink to excess to celebrate the end of your career at Colby?
Welcome to Senior Week.
Current students of the College have all heard the stories of the great traditions that came before us and have gone the way of the dinosaur. The automatic reason as to why we do not have the swim across the pond or champagne on the steps anymore is usually some remark about the administration. However, if you actually look at what went on in the past it is quite clear that reckless students ruined these traditions for others. What may have been simple and harmless origins turned into highly expensive traditions for the College in terms of damage and publicity. Furthermore, what type of tradition does not involve the entire senior class?
The new tradition must be carefully crafted so that it does not incur this same type of damage and can actually become a tradition. None of the final day of classes festivities that we are familiar with are all that old; each one a modification of a previous event that got out of control. Safety must also be central to any event, since no senior should end their final day of classes in the hospital for cuts, alcohol or otherwise.
In order to create a tradition that will last more than a few years and involve the entire class, it cannot be based in the absurdity that was the Senior Steps as we saw it last year. As one alum pointed out in a letter to the editor this past fall, no student can claim with any legitimacy a right to behave in the manner we saw last year.
Let's get back to the roots of this tradition. Let's involve the entire class and if possible, the College faculty. The College should revert to the original idea of a champagne toast to the graduating class; a chance for faculty and students alike to congratulate friends and celebrate the end of their college career. Maybe we could even get Bro to lead it. Sadly, this will have to be closely monitored by Security and the Dean of Students Office, but the responsibility of the Class of 2007 and subsequent years after them will ensure a tradition that lasts longer than a fork in Bob's. This alternative is safe, would hopefully involve a greater portion of the class and be a much more fitting end to college.
Still not happy? Still think you deserve to drink to excess to celebrate the end of your career at Colby?
Welcome to Senior Week.
Be the first to comment on this story