Tercentennial celebrations go on, subdued

Massive diagrams and blueprints grace the walls. CDs clutter a round table—the Whippenpoofs, Yale Glee Club, Yale Symphony Orchestra, songs about, by, and for Yalies—along with large glossy photographs of fireworks by the famous Zambelli family.

COURTESY TERCENTENNIAL OFFICE The stage in the Yale Bowl goes up as preparations for Yale's 300th birthday continue. The festivities will take place on the weekend of Fri., Oct. 5..

This is the epicenter of Yale's Tercentennial events. More specifically, it is the office of Linda Koch Lorimer, Vice President and Secretary of the University. Lorimer darts about the office, a staff all-access pass around her neck, shuffling papers and making phone calls. Although she is busy, she readily speaks at length about the upcoming events that have been in the works for the past two years. She pulls out pictures of the stage being built in the Yale Bowl, which towers five stories high and is 300 feet long.

"This is an extravaganza of dimensions unseen in the Yale Bowl," Lorimer said. Plans for next week's events seem to be rolling along. But just two weeks ago, it seemed very possible that all of this could have come to a grinding halt. In light of the Tues., Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C., the question loomed: would Yale's 300th birthday go on?

"The times may not warrant some of the expressions of exuberance that we have planned for over two years," wrote President Richard Levin, GRD '74, in a letter asking the members of the Yale community to give their input. The Yale administration was poised to cancel all events except the academic convocation if need be. In addition to soliciting written responses from students and faculty, Levin met with representatives from a variety of constituencies, including dining hall workers, Physical Plant staff, and union members of Locals 34 and 35. He also heard from the Yale College Council, the Graduate and Professional Student Senate, and the Masters and Deans of all the residential colleges.

"When President Levin and I began seeking council, I had expected there would be wide division of opinion about what Yale should do about the Tercentennial in response to the horrible tragedies of last week," Lorimer said. "Instead, there was a remarkable consensus that all of the events planned for Yale's Tercentennial weekend should proceed." Most e-mails suggested that the University not forget the attacks but incorporate them into the Tercentennial events, which could serve to bring the community together after Sept. 11. "Let the celebration ease some of the pain we all feel," one Saybrook junior wrote.

Still others believed the show should go on as a matter of principle. "They can destroy our buildings and kill our countrymen, but they cannot break our spirits and darken our lives," a Branford sophomore said, "They should not be allowed to hamper our celebrations either." In response to e-mailed requests, both the beginning and end of the Tercentennial extravaganza have been changed to incorporate a moment of silence and reflection in memory of the over 6,500 killed.

As a result of the last-minute changes, preparation for the Tercentennial is frantic. "All publicity and ticketing stopped for over a week, and we've been trying to play catch-up ever since," Lorimer said. Although students were supposed to do so earlier, they can still sign up for tickets for events at the Yale Bowl. Admission is free, but students must have tickets, Lorimer stressed. "I'm worried people are going to really regret not having gone."

The events of Sat., Oct. 6 will begin at 4 p.m. with a festival outside the Yale Bowl. Over 60 exhibits, performing groups, and activities will be present. Shuttles will leave from several points around campus between 4 and 6 p.m. to ferry students to the Bowl. At 7 p.m., people will proceed into the Bowl for the big show. Included will be student and faculty performances and speeches by noted alumni. The ceremony will conclude with a fireworks show, the theme of which has been changed to "Those Who Have Come Before." The Administration hopes continuing with the Tercentennial signals that life is slowly returning to normal. Largely out of necessity, students have already gotten back to their everyday lives—classes, athletics, and parties.

Yale College Dean Richard Brodhead, BR '68, GRD '72, pointed out that while people at the football game on Sat., Sept. 22 had surely not forgotten about the World Trade Center incident—increased security checks served as a reminder—they were still there to enjoy the game."It's always awkward to resume normal life after something awful has happened," he said. "And yet, it's all about life."

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