Planning to throw marshmallows and streamers at today's Hey Day event?
Some seniors say the list ends there, but juniors aren't so sure.
Wharton senior and class president Andrew Kaplan said over 550 seniors have signed a pledge not to throw non-approved items - like eggs, ketchup and mustard - this afternoon at juniors walking down Locust Walk.
This activity, often labeled as hazing, has recently put the 76 year-old tradition in jeopardy.
So, as part of a campuswide effort to make sure Hey Day doesn't go anywhere, student government officials have been working tirelessly to promote a safer Hey Day.
"Protect the tradition" and "Keep it Clean, Keep it Dry" are examples of some of the phrases on colorful - yet precautionary - signs that have flooded campus over the last few weeks.
But despite these efforts, most juniors are skeptical that the campaign to reform Hey Day will ultimately be successful.
"I think it's unlikely that these [initiatives] will have an effect," Wharton junior Melissa Hauptman said.
College junior Rebecca Braunstein agreed, "It might be a little bit more contained, but I think people are going to do what they want to do."
"Bring it on," she added, inviting seniors to throw eggs and ketchup at her.
The future of Hey Day was brought into serious consideration after last year's event, when a student went to the hospital after being hit in the eye with an egg, officials from the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania said at the time.
But in light of student attempts to keep this year's ceremony egg- and condiment-free, administrators have high hopes for today, when current juniors officially become seniors.
Student leadership has done "a fabulous job collaborating for change," Vice Provost of University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said.
"I have never, in 30 years, seen [such] extraordinary evidence of commitment to change culture" on campus, she said.
After signing the pledge to keep Hey Day relatively clean, seniors receive a T-shirt and a ticket to today's BBQ and Ken Kweder concert in Wynn Commons.
"I think the majority of people will only throw marshmallows and streamers," said Engineering senior Jimmy Charatan, who signed the pledge.
Kaplan added, "We've had an incredibly positive, impressive response. But it all comes down to [today], people acting responsibly."
