The Colby Echo

Issue date: 3/16/07 Section: Opinions

There are things that need to be cleared up about the celebration at the steps. Firstly, it is important that we all know that the celebration is happening; it's simply happening on Saturday at noon. The steps will be different. People say that canceling the Senior Steps would be canceling tradition. It must be noted that allowing the Senior Steps to persist in a manner consistent with recent years would only be a degradation of tradition. The new plan is to revert back to the fundamental ideals of the tradition.

Originally, the celebration formed as a symbolic toasting of four rigorous academic years. As most of you have witnessed, the celebration has grown. In recent years, the celebration changed into a drunken melee of belligerents, moving far away from the traditional ideals. It now seems time to revert back, to start again using the foundations of the origin. We want every single senior to come to the steps and toast these past four important years. This celebration should not be an excuse to do something else (like get belligerently drunk). Rather, the celebration should be something that you go to because it is inherently valuable.

We not only ask for the cooperation of our class, we ask for the support of the entire student body. One of the important fundamental aspects of the steps is that it allows for the entire student body to come together and honor the accomplishments of the graduating class. Non-seniors need to understand that their actions at the Senior Steps will directly affect the future of the tradition. Simply put, do not enter into the area. Do not show up drunk. Do not drink at the event. Remember why you are there. Not only will this benefit the event this year, but it will benefit the event for years to come.

We understand that people may feel a bit disillusioned at 4:00 p.m. on Friday when there is silence on the steps. However, this is the reality of the circumstances given to us. Hopefully, you will all support the plan and enter into busses on Friday afternoon. We will head down to Portland for the evening. Let us make this clear. This will be fun. We don't like events that aren't fun. This will be fun. If you are wasted when you try to get on the bus, you will not be let on. Be sensible. Plan for a full night of activities.

In the Portland Coliseum, we will have dinner and drinks. There may be other programming in the Coliseum. After the Coliseum, there are a variety of options for each one of us, including pubs, night clubs, a bowling alley, a movie theater and coffee houses. Later in the night, we will return to the Coliseum for some late night food and some additional senior programming. We will then take busses back to school.

The least productive thing for our class and this college is resentment. Please stand with us, together as a class. On Tuesday, Mar. 20, in Keyes 105, we will be holding a forum on the Senior Steps. We ask that you all come and give us your feedback. We really do want it.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools