Therehas been a lot of talk about the logistics of the 1995 Commencement. While I am sure that everyone involved is working to make the event the best possible experience it can be, I want to take a look at the issues as I see them and propose a solution that might get us the best of all worlds.
First of all, like it or not, twice as many people are expected to attend this year's Commencement exercises. Granted. But a critical question we all must ask is, "What will make these people's experience the most enjoyable?"
Parents who come to see their children graduate want to be as close as possible to their children and have a good view. People who come to hear Clinton speak will want to see and hear the President clearly. The College would like a ceremony that can be easily publicized and hopefully reflect the spirit of Dartmouth. Students, on the other hand, profit from the reflective experience of the Commencement itself. It is the last time for students to be together with their class in the culmination of a four-year intellectual odyssey. The setting of Commencement should reflect this academic conclusion and should be as intimate and personal as possible.
It seems that some have decided that Memorial Field is the site that will best fulfill all of these expectations. However, while a Commencement in Memorial Field may minimize dissatisfaction to some, it does little to maximize the intellectual, sentimental and aesthetic goals of Commencement.
A ceremony held on an athletic field does not reflect well the academic experience it is meant to conclude. A ceremony held in a concrete stadium will add few fond memories in the minds of the newly-made alumni and does not reflect the beauty of Dartmouth. Most importantly, compared to the tradition of Baker Commencements, a move to Memorial Field shows a clear departure from the spirit of the ceremony which has followed it through many changes in locale.
Therefore, I would like to propose a Commencement at Baker with modifications to accommodate the special circumstances of this year's increased attendance.
Most important is the experience of the students. Commencement is for students, not the media and politicians. Students should be allowed to retain their traditional places on Baker Lawn, hopefully with a view unhindered by masses of media. If the College and Clinton want a press conference, they are perfectly able to do it on their own time without taking away from the experience of the graduating class.
Secondly, parents should be respected and should also retain their traditional seats behind the graduating class. I propose cordoning off an area of Baker Lawn extending across Wentworth Street onto the Green, if necessary. Only guests with tickets will be allowed in this area. All other visitors, likely those who came principally to see Clinton's speech, will be able to fill in all the available space on the Green. These people will be afforded a better view of the speakers by means of large video monitors as well as various loudspeakers placed on Baker Lawn and the Green.
All others who wish alternative seating may view the ceremonies from classrooms and auditoria as is usually done for Commencements held in Thompson Arena. These guests will be offered a prime view of the President's speech. Students and their guests will be afforded the intimate ceremony and setting they have merited.
Following this outline, the College could handle the number of people expected while maintaining the focus of Commencement on students, where it rightfully should be.
