A few weeks ago, an editorial appeared in the Orient proposing that classes be canceled this Friday for the sake of allowing more students to enjoy the Friday of Ivies. The editors cite actions at Williams and Smith Colleges where Friday classes are annually canceled for the tradition of "Mountain Day." Apparently this tradition includes climbing a mountain together and other fun wholesome activities. The editorial suggests that because attendance and "enthusiasm" (read: sobriety) at Ivies Friday classes are often lacking, these classes should be canceled "so students may participate in the campus-wide festivities that characterize the Ivies spirit."
In light of the number of alcohol-related incidents on campus this year, which the Orient has covered comprehensively, this may not be the year for anyone to seek a Friday off for Ivies. We have read in the Orient that seemingly half of the Class of 2013 has already made the trip to Parkview Adventist Medical Center. Students have been expelled for violent behavior while under the influence of alcohol.
The administration has had to create new forums in order to understand and try to ease these issues. Let's not forget that the Town of Brunswick has had to take increased measures to put a check on the activity of Bowdoin students. Bowdoin prides itself on being a safe, welcoming and responsible campus and I think that many would agree that this has not been a banner year for us as students.
Ivies is a weekend of drinking. Yes, there is the concert, but the tradition is centered around the different parties that take place during the weekend, and increasingly the tradition of drinking during the week prior to Ivies. In response to the fear that students will get in trouble with the law for walking around with open containers, the solution was to make water bottles to conceal alcohol—special bottles which tell you how much alcohol to drink. What does it say that the Ivies concert has been moved to a location that is fenced in with only one entrance? Take a step back and think about what it means that Bowdoin's most cherished tradition is a weekend of excessive drinking. Many would argue that every weekend at Bowdoin is a weekend of excessive drinking. Is this the tradition we should be most proud of?
When it comes down to it, Bowdoin does not have many true campus-wide traditions in the way many other schools do. We have Common Good Day, which is a wonderful institution, but I believe that fewer than half of the student body takes part, and it certainly does not drum up the level of enthusiasm that Ivies does. The result is that in an effort to own a tradition of which to be proud, we have embellished Ivies to a mythical level. How many first year students have you come across who have been talking about Ivies for weeks? Remember how excited for it you were your first year after hearing stories of the ridiculous adventures of years past?
Apparently Ivies began in 1865 with the planting of ivy, and other associated traditions involved the awarding of a wooden spoon to the most attractive (male) student at the College. No, it had nothing to do with declining to join the Ivy League—that is myth. What sorts of fun quirky traditions are associated with Ivies nowadays? Party at Brunswick, party at Harpswell, party at Pine Street, and recently, disappointing concerts. "Kingston, Kingston, Kingston! Put your hands up!"
Now I am not saying that we stop Ivies or mute it in any way. I hope everyone has a fun and safe weekend, and I hope that the newly reconfigured concert is a great success. However, I am saying that we shouldn't seek to put all of our tradition eggs into the Ivies weekend basket, especially when there is nothing unique and traditional about Ivies anymore.
It seems like we are grasping at something and hoping it is a worthy tradition. I also don't think that Ivies Friday is a good excuse to cancel class. We are here as students and on the weekends we have fun. Our parents and the donors who fund this school are under the impression we're here for the school part. So let's have a great time at Ivies, but keep in mind that it's a weekend to celebrate warm weather and our time together, rather than the inebriated capstone that tries to define the Bowdoin experience.