Graduation parties
aren’t like old times
Along with homecoming
weekend, graduation is
one of the biggies of she
University year. The EMU Cul
tural Forum, the Alumni Associa
tion and the Hitton must all be
hosting parties. Right’
No, they're not
Well, maybe some of the
smaller establishments, such as
the Oregon Electric Station and
the Valley River Inn are hosting
dances ’
Wrong again
The truth is. parties are pri
vate these days If you're looking
for a party for graduation week
end. you'll have to host it, be in
vited, or hire it.
So either plan your hors
d'oeuvres. reserve a table, or
start networking among your
friends. One lucky person or
group reserved the entire Tree
house Restaurant.
Graduation weekend didn’t
used to be so private. The senior
class once to sponsor a senior
ball in McArthur Court, open to
all the classes The senior ball
came complete with a full or
chestra, chaperone, dress suits,
and dance cards a man had to
sign in order to reserve a dance
with a woman.
"They used to hire Duke El
lington and other types," said
University Archivist Keith Rich
ard.
Commencement, when used
to be held on Saturday at 8 p m
in Mac Court, was also celebrat
ed with a luncheon banquet in
Straub Hall, which used to have
a huge dining hall Sponsored by
the Alumni Association tor a
small fee, the luncheon included
seniors, alumni, parents, friends,
(acuity, and the University presi
dent, who would give a state
ment of well wishes.
Faculty were expected to at
tend both, (commencement and
the luncheon) including cap and
gown," Richard said "They usod
to take roll Other than having an
appendectomy, it was very diffi
cult to get out of.
"At one point m the 1920s.
rather than taking roll, they
handed out paychecks, but that
tradition didnl last long.”
The senior ball and the com
mencement luncheons have dis
appeared not from a lack of in
terest but because of economics
and the changing nature of uni
versity life
There are a lot more students
now. thousands as opposed to
hundreds Up until the 1970s.
there were class officers, who
could sponsor parties and
events for the entire student
body
CONGRATS
Thanks for your
years of support.
Enjoy your
summer.
SILVtKSTAC VETO
/'''"''A AND TANNING TOO!
344-2691
1888 Franklin Blvd.
Next to 7-11 on Villard
Now. with students enrolling
during any term and graduating
after as few as three or as many
as seven-plus years, it's difficult
to delme each class
Moreover, money doesn't go
as far as it used to and there are
more students to spend it on
1 The last balls, held in the
1960s. were too expensive.''
Richard said "Now. if you were
to invite a rock band the equal of
Duke Ellington, it would be im
possible Big bands died in the
1950s and 1960s because it was
too expensive lor them (to oper
ate)."
Some colleges and schools,
such as the School of Journal
ism. held social events in past
years, but even those were
dropped
Turn to PARTIES, Page 10
c^unmi
wore once very popular Today this is
Graduation parties, like this ",Kid Ball" lor the senior class of 1926
no longer the tradition
Bn tiie same Graduation gift
students since 1920.
™S year it totals
$365,000
*■ '*■' •«< i yws.
frsin your nn ^^toatlon!
Si no*-Pi*oflt Bookstore.
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