To the Editor:
The Class of '95 has earned a wonderful distinction. We will be the first class whose Commencement exercises will be held in Memorial Stadium, breaking the 40-year-old tradition of commencement in front of Baker Library. And why have we earned this distinction? Is it because of the security issues related to President Clinton's visit?
The answer is because President Clinton is coming, but security reasons apparently were not the main consideration. In fact, the White House has not even been contacted to discuss security issues. No, the reason that we get to graduate in beautiful Memorial Stadium, according to Acting College President James Wright, as reported in the Dartmouth, is that a lot of people want to come hear Clinton speak. Somehow, Commencement this year is no longer for the graduating seniors, but rather for the spectators. Dear Old Dartmouth's decision to change the venue of our Commencement activities reflects [the administration's] lack of concern for both students and aesthetics and [its] shameless pandering to the media and non-Dartmouth community crowds.
For four years now we have looked forward to Commencement in front of Baker. We can think of no more beautiful setting in which to hold Commencement exercises and think it is the ideal place to end our four years at the College.
Even movement to the Green would be better than the stadium. Senior Assistant to the President Peter Gilbert says that if the podium were placed in front of Dartmouth Hall, sight and sound would be obstructed. Funny, when Homecoming weekend is kicked off if front of Dartmouth Hall, people of the other side of the Green seem to be able to see and hear just fine.
We would like to thank President Wright and all of those involved in this decision for concluding that the spectators at Commencement are the greatest concern, not the graduating seniors.
