The Student Assembly unanimously voted last night to conduct a BlitzMail poll asking seniors whether they would prefer to have Commencement ceremonies on the Green or at Memorial Field.
"It seems that a lot of seniors have complained they were left out of the process," Assembly Vice President John Honovich '97 said."This is something that will put seniors directly in the process."
The College decided to move Commencement from the lawn in front of Baker Library --where it has been held for the past 42 years -- to Memorial Field due to President Bill Clinton's visit. Clinton is delivering the keynote address at graduation.
Sichitiu and Honovich abandoned a resolution calling for Commencement to be moved back to the Baker Lawn after meeting with Acting College President James Wright and Special Assistant to the President Peter Gilbert yesterday afternoon.
"We're asking, 'Let us weigh the decision as well,'" Sichitiu said,"If the poll comes back and it's kind of fuzzy, like 65/45, then the decision lies with President Wright."
But in an interview last night, Gilbert said, "At this point our plan is to go forward in the Stadium."
The Assembly's poll would ask seniors to respond to both the Assembly and Wright expressing their preference of location. The Assembly also plans to ask the President's Office for a description of the advantages and disadvantages of both locations that would be included in the BlitzMail message.
"We would present the information rationally and fairly to the students," Sichitiu said.
Gilbert said the President's Office welcomes "student opinion on all aspects of Commencement planning.
"Obviously, the Student Assembly is free to solicit student opinion on any matter it wishes," he said. "If we could be of assistance to the Student Assembly ... we would be happy to provide background information for a poll."
Wright, who made the decision to move Commencement, previously told The Dartmouth that both Baker Lawn and the Green would not be able to accommodate the large crowds that are anticipated to come and hear Clinton speak.
The area of the Green specified in last night's resolution stretches from Wentworth Street, which runs between Webster Hall and the Green, to East Wheelock Street.
The primary issue remains one of space, not security, Sichitiu said.
"This afternoon, we realized that the Baker Lawn is absolutely not possible," Sichitiu said. She said the maximum capacity of Baker Lawn is 8,600 people, the number present at graduation last year.
Wright previously said about 20,000 people are expected for graduation this year. The seating capacity of the Green is the same the stadium's, Sichitiu said.
Sichitiu said she thinks a move to Memorial Field is likely to become permanent. "I think it's very important that students have a say at this critical juncture," she said.
Sichitiu said the Green was considered first as an alternate location but the President's Office decided the stadium was a better idea.
Sichitiu mentioned several problems with the Green, including security considerations and the possibility of rain.
Wright previously told The Dartmouth that if Commencement were held on the Green, it would be covered by "chairs, sounds systems, cables, platforms for the press and port-a-potties."
Sichitiu said all of the buildings surrounding the Green would have to be vacated 12 hours before the ceremony, meaning no activities could be held in those buildings the morning of graduation.
Although preparations for Commencement have not yet begun, the decision on the location needs to be made in the next two weeks, Sichitiu said.
Honovich said the Assembly would try to get the poll out sometime this week, but it is possible the poll may not get out until Sunday or Monday.
