Jubilee Lurches Into Obscurity

Another bastion in Harvard's tradition fell last week when the Freshman Council revealed that Jubilee Weekend has followed the Freshman Smoker to extinction.

The Smoker, a night of male-only entertainment, was phased out in the early '60's due to financial difficulties.

"There just isn't enough interest in Jubilee," said Alfred Poor '73, Freshman Council Social Committee Chairman. "Only a fourth of the class bothered to answer our questionnaire, and no one wanted to work on the committee," he added.

Jubilee, an annual freshman social event, has not broken even since 1965. Since then it has averaged a deficit of ever $2000 each year.

In the past the Freshman Dean's Office has covered the loss. However,according to one Freshman Council member, F. Skiddy Von Stade Jr. '38, dean of Freshmen, said that his budget is too tight this year to subsidize Jubilee.

The Freshman Council is considering several substitutes for Jubilee. One possibility is a picnic at Warren Island in Boston Harbor-a traditional part of past Jubilee weekends. The council also will not hire a big-name band-a major financial drain in the past.

The new plan will "climinate the concept of a big weekend," Poor said. "'Big weekend has too many bad connotations."

"With the abolition of parietals and the constant parade of groups at the Boston Tea Party there really is no need for a Jubilee," he said.

Last year's Jubilee, coming on the heels of the occupation of University Hall, drew barely 100 couples and ended $3000 in the red.