More than 700 seniors responded to a survey requesting their preferences for the location of this year's Commencement -- and if they have it their way, the ceremony will return its original location in front of Baker Library.
The BlitzMail survey was sent to students during last term's reading period and Dean of Student Life Holly Sateia said her administrative assistant, "was shocked by the large response. It shows it's a very important issue to the students."
The survey gave students the choice of Baker or Memorial Field.
Class of 1996 Dean Sylvia Langford said only about one dozen students chose Memorial Field as their preferred Commencement location.
But it is the Office of the President which will make the final decision, Class of 1996 Dean Sylvia Langford said.
College President James Freedman told The Dartmouth in an earlier interview that the senior class' input will be used in choosing a Commencement area. But, he said, the Memorial Field stadium, where the 1995 Commencement was held, "is superior in every aspect except ambiance."
No definitive decisions have been made yet, but "people need to know relatively soon for all the planning involved like seating and the sound system," Langford said.
The results of the survey will be passed on to Freedman.
The Committee on Commencement has already discussed the survey results.
"The committee wants to have Commencement in the vicinity of Baker," Langford said.
Langford said she is in favor of doing "what will make my class feel best."
"We want it to be wonderful. That is the goal. Commencement is a lasting moment for students as well as parents and friends and the location adds to that," she said.
The debate over the location arose when the College moved the ceremony from Baker to Memorial Field last year in order accommodate the increased number of spectators attending President Bill Clinton's visit and for security reasons.
Until 1953, when President Dwight Eisenhower gave the Commencement address, the ceremony was held in the Bema.
"The stadium has a better audio system and better visibility, yet without such a big speaker, I don't think there will be as many people," Class of 1996 President Brendan Doherty said.
Langford said there are possible plans to move Commencement to overlook Baker rather than situating it between Sanborn and Webster.
"The traditional area between Sanborn and Webster is not the widest space, has a rather flat surface, and parents are too far away," Langford said.
The survey also asked where Commencement should be held in the event of rain.
"A substantial majority want it outside, rain or shine, to accommodate families that will be here celebrating their child's accomplishments," Sateia said.
Thompson Arena may be used if Commencement day is rainy, said Senior Class Vice President Tom Caputo.
"Most students have a nostalgic feel for Baker and would like to finish their Dartmouth experience there," he said.
Christian Jacobus said he is willing to sacrifice plentiful seating and a good view in order to have Commencement in front of the library.
"My dad feels the same way," he added. "He was in the first class to graduate in front of Baker."
But Jason Ferries '96 said he does not feel strongly one way or the other.
"Baker is fine. It is traditionally held there and my dad would like to see it there. I'm pretty impartial about it, actually," Ferries said.
Doherty said the seniors appreciate that the administration is reaching out for student opinion.
