By Margaret LeRoux

Q: Many alumni have questioned the need to make changes in the traditional reunion weekend. Can you tell us what prompted these changes?
A: A number of factors have forced us to modify our traditional reunion model. We've seen this coming for some time. First of all, the attendance numbers for reunions are increasing every year. In the 1970s, we were averaging approximately 1,700 returning alumni and guests each year. We currently host over 3,300 people. Now this is a great sign of alumni loyalty and their sense of belonging, but it does create logistical problems, and over the last few years those problems have become critical. 

Q: Can you elaborate on the logistical problems?
A:  The smaller, earlier classes of Purple Knights (alumni who graduated 50 years ago or more) are being displaced by larger classes from the '50s and '60s. And the classes from the '70s, '80s and '90s are almost twice as large as those of the '50s and '60s. The bottom line is that more and more people are returning from younger, larger classes. At the same time, the College's facilities have remained fairly constant. Up until now, we have utilized new areas, such as the library and the Brooks Music Hall. Simply put, we've run out of room. But even if we had more space, we still wouldn't have a large enough, trained food service staff to accommodate the crowd. 

Q: What solutions were proposed to cope with the problem?
A: We conducted a survey among the GAA's board of directors and the class chairs and secretaries. We considered all options and suggestions. The one option that had strong support involved hosting the annual reunion over two separate weekends, one for the 5th through 25th classes and the other for the 30th class through the Purple Knights. The difficulty was that this would be especially problematic for the building and grounds department as well as other departments on campus. You have to consider how tightly and efficiently all maintenance and building projects are scheduled. Between the time students leave campus in the spring and the time they return in August, we have a small window to get all renovation and construction projects completed.

Q: What other options were proposed?
A: Unfortunately, there was a great deal of miscommunication regarding the various options we considered. This led to some degree of misinformation. So I'm glad we have the opportunity to set the record straight here. We considered having the 50th-reunion classes return during Commencement. The Class of 1951 was responsive to the plan, and it worked out well this year. But we soon realized that relocating the 50th-reunion class to Commencement just wouldn't solve the numbers problems. In addition, we would have to separate out the Purple Knights. We began working with the Purple Knights, discussing the possibility of bringing them back to campus each fall homecoming weekend. 

Q: Where do things stand at this point?
A: We've worked with the auxiliary services and the physical plant departments. Everyone has pulled together. We've juggled schedules and found some creative solutions that, in the first analysis, didn't appear possible. We are moving in the direction of running two consecutive reunion weekends in June beginning in 2002. We think this plan offers the best solution. It will open up more of the best spaces on campus to more reunion classes. It will lighten the burden on food services. Programming can be tailored exclusively to specific class needs. There will be less crowding for our Purple Knights. Overall, it will enhance everyone's reunion experience across the board. The central point I'd like to emphasize is that this is an effective start, but there is more work to be done. As we move into the future, the number of potential reunion attendees will grow. We feel this model allows us to expand with that growth and still welcome back all our alumni in the traditional June time frame.