32 Robinson is a series of columns representing the opinions of the summer editorial staff. The columns do not necessarily represent the official views of The Dartmouth.
Despite injuries resulting from the clay cup ceremony held on Class Day, the College has achieved significant strides in revising the ritual that, with minor alterations, can remain an integral element of the senior year experience.
In May, a committee of administrators, faculty and students voted to end all College support for the more-than-century-old tradition of breaking clay pipes on Class Day, an activity that desecrates the religious beliefs and spiritual practices of Native Americans.
This year's seniors smashed clay cups instead of pipes on the stump of the Lone Pine, an amendment which preserved the symbolic breaking with the College while eliminating the controversial destruction of pipes.
This alternative appeared to satisfy most ardent traditionalists while not offending any members of the class. This was the first year in recent memory that no students walked out in protest.
It cannot be overlooked that this year's clay cups caused some harm; certainly the injuries should not be belittled. But is the fact that they occurred reason enough to eliminate this new Class Day ceremony that bridges the gap between nostalgic purism and evolving societal values?
These injuries cannot be a deterrent to continuing the quest to maintain tradition, the heart and soul of the Dartmouth community. And as tradition implies continuity, this ritual, in its revised form, should be assured its deserved longevity.
The decision to use the clay cups was made only a week before Class Day, and the choice of these specific cups was made in haste. Dean of Student Life Holly Sateia has already begun looking into cups better suited to this event; with better objects, and more advanced planning, this ceremony can work effectively.
With almost a full year to eliminate any glitches with the clay cups ceremony, this rite of graduation can prove to be a safe and long-lasting College tradition.
