An Orgo Night of years past.

Since fall 2016, the marching band has been banned from holding Orgo Night, their biannual roast of all things Columbia, in its traditional location of Butler 209. Despite much back-and-forth with the administration, particularly Vice Provost and University Librarian Ann Thornton, who made the final decision to ban them, the CUMB held Orgo Night outside the next two semesters.

Last semester, however, they chose to defy the administration and perform in Butler 209, which earned all the Board members an official warning. The Board then met with more administrators and, today, Vice Provost Thornton herself. The Board just released a statement summarizing those meetings, explaining that “Vice Provost Thornton’s main concern is the sanctity of all study spaces in all libraries at all times.” The Band, on the other hand, believes that, although libraries are a place to be productive, “they also embody stress and the negative aspects of college life. Orgo Night is meant to disrupt that stress for two nights out of the year.”

When asked for comment, Head Manager Vivian Klotz said, “In one word, I’d describe the band as disappointed. But all of the people who were at the meeting have more specific issues with what happened and the unwavering views of administrators.” And as for the future of Orgo Night, “We cannot share any plans at the moment, but this is an evolving issue and we will have a more clear picture about what we will be doing for Orgo Night in the coming weeks.”

Bwog has reached out to Vice Provost Ann Thornton for comment.

“The show will always go on,” the statement stressed, but listed the location of Orgo Night as “TBD.”

Statement via Vivan Klotz, photo via Bwog Archives