Wow. Much contention. Very CUMB.

Dean Hinkson released a statement to all Barnard students earlier today regarding Orgo Night and the Columbia University Marching Band. In the email, Dean Hinkson recognizes how she received “heartfelt messages” and “equally compelling messages” from both supporters and detractors of the Marching Band’s activities at Barnard.

After Dean Hinkson closed the Barnard gates to the Marching Band last December, a “significant split” among the Barnard student body compelled her to open the Barnard Lawn instead of the Quad to the Marching Band. Apparently, whether the Marching Band would be allowed back to Barnard was predicated on a recommendation from the SGA. However, instead of making an official recommendation, the SGA decided to carry out a survey next semester to “determine the best course of action.”

Without a recommendation from the SGA, Dean Hinkson decided to, again, only open the Barnard Lawn to the Marching Band. Whether this will remain the standard for Orgo Night at Barnard is up to results of the campus survey.

You can find the full text of the email statement below:

Dear Barnard Students,

I am writing to you regarding Orgo Night. The CU Marching Band has a long-standing tradition of coming over to the Barnard campus on the night before finals. While some find the behavior of the Band to be fun, others are deeply offended by the interruption. Last December, following a student protest on the issue of police brutality, I was asked to close the Barnard Gates and not allow the CU Marching Band on campus. I obliged as a show of respect for the protest. In the months that followed, I received heartfelt messages asking that the CU Marching Band be allowed to return to campus and equally compelling messages asking that the CU Marching Band not be allowed on campus again. Due to this significant split, this past spring I opted to allow the CU Marching Band to return, but required that they stay out of the Quad and perform only on the Lawn. This would keep students from being forced to listen to the Band due to their room assignment in the Quad, and yet still allow those who wanted to see the Band to do so on the Lawn.

In the last few weeks, I have again heard from students expressing strong opinions about the CU Marching Band. Columbia administrators have spoken with the Marching Band and strongly encouraged them to be much more respectful of the community in their Orgo Night activities. I asked SGA to make a recommendation about the presence of the CU Marching Band on campus and, while they discussed the issue at Rep Council this past Monday, they have decided instead to spend the early part of next semester gathering data via a campus survey to determine the best course of action. If you have strong sentiments, one way or the other, I encourage you to share your thoughts with SGA as they determine a course of action.

In the absence of a decision from SGA, we will continue to allow the CU Marching Band to play only on the Barnard Lawn, as was the case last spring. I know that this decision will be well received by some students and upsetting to others. I do hope that the removal of the Band from the Quad will allow those who desire to study or sleep the opportunity to do so.

I wish each of you good luck with your finals and a relaxing winter break!

See you at Midnight Breakfast,

Dean Hinkson

CUMB to Orgo Night via Spec