NOTES FROM THE DESK

Author: Daniel L. J. Phillips

Does it not seem decidedly contradictory for the College to expect the Class of 2006 to donate to the same alma mater that left such a bitter taste in its mouth after fining seniors $500 for not leaving campus quickly enough on the same day of their milestone commencement ceremony?

Aside from the detrimental impact that such a policy would have on those seniors' contributions to the College endowment, this 11 p.m. deadline - recently reinforced in an class-wide e-mail on Tuesday by Dean of the College Tim Spears - is both a logistical and emotional inconvenience for members of the senior class and their families.

The moments immediately following the ceremony allow students to say their final goodbyes to classmates and their college. And since very few graduates will want to spend the majority of Senior Week packing up their rooms in preparation for this moment, these goodbyes will have to take place with an armful of suitcases, rushing to catch rides to the airport on time.

The College rightfully requests this hasty departure from the dorms so custodians can clean in preparation for Reunion Weekend. Yet it seems unfair that the College inflicts a three-day turnaround between accommodating its recent graduates and alumni, but allows for a 12-day period before the arrival of Language School students - most of whom only spend a maximum of nine weeks at the College as opposed to four devoted years.

When Trinity tried to change its tradition in 2003 by having graduating seniors move out the same night of commencement, the administration met with immediate outcry from the entire class, so Trinity President Dick Hersh changed the move-out deadline to noon the next day, allowing students to enjoy the twilight hours on campus. Alternatively, Middlebury could take the same posture as Princeton or Wesleyan and combine its reunions with Senior Week or graduation weekend.

It would be a shame for such an easily avoidable deadline to make our seniors' final college memory one to despise instead of one to savor.

-Daniel L. J. Phillips

associate editor