Another tradition finds itself in jeopardy

University officials say that poor student conduct at this Friday's Hey Day could bring an end to the annual spring tradition.

At the event, Penn President Amy Gutmann will officially pronounce members of the junior class to be seniors.

But the tradition has been marred the past several years by members of successive senior classes engaging in what officials call disruptive behavior, such as throwing spoiled food and condiments at juniors marching through campus.

Gutmann said that while she approves of Hey Day as a valid Penn tradition, she doesn't approve of anything that constitutes hazing during the event.

"I enjoyed my first Hey Day, and I am looking forward to my second, but I do not approve of hazing," Gutmann said. "It is going to be very important for students to take responsibility to make sure that the fun parts of the tradition continue."

Gutmann added that the administration is prepared to allow Hey Day to continue, "but not if hazing doesn't get under control."

She said that members of the Junior Class Board have been talking with their senior counterparts and that the parties agree that Hey Day should be allowed to continue.

Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum, vice provost for University life, said that she believes the increased dialogue between the leaders of each class will lead to a safer, less disruptive Hey Day this year and that the tradition should be allowed to continue.

"The legacy of that tradition is very important, and I know it is very important to the junior class," McCoullum said. "It is one of the few times they are able to gather as a class and jointly be conferred seniors by the president."

But she added that the administration will be monitoring student conduct and is prepared to end the tradition if disruptions continue unabated.

Penn Police will be present during the festivities, McCoullum said, and will refer anyone violating University policies to the Office of Student Conduct.

"Hazing has no place at Penn. Period," McCoullum said. "The University has indicated that if the hazing does not stop, the event will be jeopardized."

She added, however, that the University plays a limited role in the tradition and that it is the responsibility of students, not safety officials, to bring about change.

"The future of Hey Day is directly and squarely in the hands of the senior class and junior class this year," she said. "If there are students who continue the recent horrible, violent and destructive behaviors, they will herald the demise of an important tradition."

For their part, students and alumni appear to favor keeping the tradition going.

Leah Smith, a spokeswoman for the VPUL office, said that she has read letters from alumni who argue that the tradition must continue in its current form.

Her own opinion is that Hey Day is "something totally to cherish and to remember."

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