Class of '97 sweats it out at Convocation

It was hot, but like hundreds of classes before them, the Class of 1997 sat through the hour-long Freshman Convocation in an un-airconditioned Irvine Auditorium Sunday night. And as they dripped with sweat, University administrators welcomed them to campus. In her opening remarks, Interim President Claire Fagin stressed the importance of taking advantage of the University's educational opportunities. "A single task unites us that task is educating ourselves about our world and ourselves," she said. "Our tools are knowledge, labs, classes and letters to the DP." Fagin called communication one of the most important ways to learn about the world. She encouraged freshmen to learn from each other and to communicate with others who have different backgrounds and different points of view. "The world is not the sweet place we want it to be," Fagin said. "But with positive aggression and common curtesy, we can learn from each other." While Fagin hinted at recent controversies on campus stemming from racial tensions, Faculty Senate Chairperson Gerald Porter referred to them outright in his remarks. "You have arrived at an exciting time," Porter said. "The water buffalo and DP controversies are signs of a lack of civility on this campus. "Civility cannot be legislated, so it's up to you to regulate yourselves," he said. After Porter's remarks, Vice Provost for University Life Kim Morrisson discussed the accomplishments of the freshman class. "This class is rich in diversity," she said. "We have students from 50 countries and 43 states. One-third are students of color, 45 percent are women, 35 percent are star athletes, 17 have Olympic potential, 18 operated their own businesses." But the accomplishment which got the loudest applause was that of a freshman who has written an episode of the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation that will be used by Paramount Pictures. After the ceremony, many freshman said they enjoyed the welcoming event. "It was awe-inspiring," College freshman Tatjana Hauss said. "I really felt part of the University." While most freshman said they enjoyed it, many just could not forget the heat. "I can sum up [the ceremony] in one word hot," College freshman Ethan Klein said. "But the speeches were short and sweet, so it wasn't that bad."