Only five seniors attended an informal meeting last night led by Special Assistant to the President Peter Gilbert and College spokesman Alex Huppe to discuss why this year's Commencement will be held at Memorial Field.
After the 30-minute discussion in Collis Common Ground, Gilbert and Huppe said they were disappointed with the turnout.
Since Acting College President James Wright announced last Tuesday his decision to move graduation ceremonies from the lawn in front of Baker Library to Memorial Field, many seniors have expressed disappointment and anger with the move.
Although some seniors have called for the administration to move the ceremony back to Baker Lawn, Huppe said, "The event is going to take place at Memorial Field."
Gilbert and Huppe began the discussion by explaining why the College decided to move Commencement.
Gilbert said the College decided against holding the ceremonies on Baker Lawn because it is too small. More than 15,000 people are expected to attend Commencement this year because President Bill Clinton is giving the keynote address.
The College has held Commencement on Baker Lawn since 1953.
Left to decide between holding Commencement at either Memorial Field or on the Green, Gilbert said the College chose Memorial Field because it offers superior sound and sight for viewers as well as more seating.
In addition, Gilbert said the tight security necessitated by the President's visit would make the Green unsightly and impractical. Gilbert said Wednesday's bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City, Okla., could result in increased security for the President's visit.
Holding Commencement at Memorial Field would insure the continuation of many Dartmouth graduation traditions that might have had to be forgone if the ceremonies had been held on the Green, Huppe said.
Memorial Field could be transformed into a setting that is both "regal" and "academic," Gilbert said.
Senior Class President Alyse Kornfeld, who attended part of the discussion, tried to explain the low turnout.
"This forum would have been better attended if it had been earlier in the week or earlier in the term," she said.
One senior woman at the discussion said seniors feel they were not consulted enough before the decision was made.
Gilbert said he feels badly the decision came as a surprise to students and said if the administration had the opportunity to make such a decision again, it would involve more students in the process.
Gilbert said the College did consult the Senior Class Council before making the decision.
Another female senior said because the College had not formally ruled out the possibility of holding Commencement on Baker Lawn or the Green, students are still holding out some hope that it would be moved back.
