Frosh Enjoy a Harvard First

The crack of whiffle bats against plastic balls could be heard throughout Harvard Yard yesterday, as a number of first-years enjoyed their first official day off from the rigors of Harvard life.

While most students said they needed to use the day to catch up on their studies, a number decided that they couldn't pass up the ideal mid-October weather.

"We're playing a little whiffle ball so we don't break any windows," said Xavier Gutierrez '95, who was playing the game between Harvard Hall and Holden Chapel. "We do this as a release."

Another wiffle ball player, Craig A. Vitagliano '95, said he and his friends could afford to put off his work for a few more hours until the sun set.

"Everyone else is probably doing work that they should have been doing all weekend," Vitagliano said. "They're all cramming like I have to do tonight."

But while some students relaxed on their day without classes, most said they needed to use the day to catch up on work and make up for lost sleep.

"Everyone is catching up on sleep, getting up late, and doing all the work from the past three days," said Faye Chiu '95.

Mary E. Baker '95, taking a break from her studies, said she was using the day to make up assignments she had let slide for the first month of classes.

"This is a catch up day for all the weeks that we've been here," she said. "Before this, I watched soap operas, and I tried to go to the library, but I always fall asleep there."

While many students crowded Lamont Library or studied in their dorms, others, including Laurence M. Lombard '95, took their books outside.

Lombard said he was using Columbus Day to get ahead in his work.

"It's kind of nice to have a day off...With the Head of the Charles coming up, it's a nice way to get ahead. The next week is crunch week, and there's a lot of stuff due in all my classes," said Lombard, who was one of many students studying outside on the lawn in front of Matthews Hall.

Meanwhile, Laura R. Ginsberg '95 studied with two other students outside while her newly-washed clothes dried in the sun. She said a lot of her friends were just "recovering" from Sunday night's parties.

And while classes were cancelled because of Columbus Day, some Canadian citizens took the day off to celebrate a national holiday of their own.

"I'm getting Thanksgiving dinner from the Canadian club," said Taryn L. Hearn '95, explaining that Canadian Thanksgiving was yesterday as well.