Baker for the Bema

WITH the increased size of the entering classes which took place right after the war being still maintained, it has been recognized that the Bema is too small for present-day Commencement exercises. The departure from tradition, necessitated last June by President Eisenhower's acceptance of an honorary degree from Dartmouth, proved that the lawn in front of Baker Library was more suitable for modern graduation exercises than the natural amphitheatre in College Park. A throng of 10,000 persons was easily accommodated on that occasion, whereas an audience of 2,500 is about maximum for the Bema.

Although a committee appointed by the Board of Trustees had considered an alternative plan of doubling the capacity of the Bema by extensive reconstruction, the cost of such an undertaking was considered to be almost prohibitive. As a result, the Committee on Commencement, after meeting with officers of this year's senior class, announced that beginning next June 13, 1954, graduation exercises will be held on the lawn in front of Baker, Library as a regular site. It is expected that the Bema will be used for Class Day exercises, as was done so successfully last June.

When in 1890 the Trustees decided not to let the senior class graduate from the White Church, as was the custom, because it had been newly decorated, the seniors were so outraged by the break from tradition that they voted to boycott their own Commencement, and brought about a reversal of the Trustees' decision. The present proposed change will meet with small opposition, as seniors, as well as members of the faculty and administration have realized for some time the limitations of the Bema for accommodating crowds as large as those now wishing to attend the Sunday morning Commencement exercises.