The Ties That Bind

Dartboard is concerned about the wave of inappropriate informality that seems to have crashed over Harvard University. Although it would be patently ridiculous for a university to attempt to strictly enforce a minimum dress requirement, there are certain occasions when Harvard organizations ought to suggest a dress code.

The Institute of Politics seems to be particularly lax in this regard. It was disturbing to see former Vice President Al Gore ’69 feel obliged to wear a suit and tie to adress Harvard students, many of whom could not even put on a long pair of trousers to hear him. Wearing something other than jeans and a t-shirt does not imply that you are old and stuffy; it simply demonstrates a modicum of respect. If the former vice president has the time to throw on a jacket, the students who go to hear him should have time to make themselves presentable.

At a lunch last year with another fomer vice president, Walter F. Mondale, a few students felt that it was appropriate to turn up, albeit 50 minutes late, in exercise clothes as “they had just come from the Mac.” That Harvard students should feel comfortable sandwiching—if you’ll pardon the pun—such a lunch between a workout and a section is a sign of how spoiled we are.

Being able to hear these famous individuals speak may not be the highlight of most Harvard students’ lives. But people should at least make some effort, as a sign of respect to their distinguished guests, to pretend that they are. Absolutely no one, let alone international dignitaries, should have to eat around smelly people who are rushing from place to place.

It takes 30 seconds at the most to tie a tie or brush our hair. If we can’t spare that much time in our hectic lives, we surely do not deserve the attention that is currently lavished on us. Harvard students are rumored to be the future leaders of the world. There is little chance of this being anything more than idle gossip, though, if we refuse to respect those who currently hold that title.

—ANTHONY S.A. FREINBERG

When Do Classes (Ever) End?

According to the official University academic calendar, winter recess begins at midnight on Thursday night. But questions still linger as to whether Friday, Dec. 14, 12:01 a.m. is actually the moment on which I should set my sights. When does school really get out?

Extensive research of various course syllabi has suggested to Dartboard that perhaps the date of release is slightly more indefinite. It seems more justified to suggest that vacation actually begins some time in the vicinity of that alluring circle on my calendar. Some dining halls close Tuesday night. Others close Wednesday night; still others after Thursday lunch. The most daring dining halls (Annenberg and Currier) will remain open through Thursday dinner in order to succor stranded, starving students.

Perhaps most confusing of all, however, are the papers that are ambiguously due “the last day of classes.” Figure that one out, Einstein.

It would just be nice to know what the College’s expectations are. Because if I’m still going to be here on Thursday night and the only upperclass dining hall open is Currier, I better start walking now.

—EMMA R.F. NOTHMANN