Commencement Costs Burden Seniors' Week

As Commencement nears, many members of the Class of 1999 may be walking through the gates with empty wallets.

Even though the College meal plan for the days between the end of finals and Commencement Day was expanded this year, seniors report that their final weeks at Harvard have cost upwards of $100, and reached to $300 or $400 for some. Special events--such as a dance and a clambake--raise the price, along with the cost of Commencement supplies, like cap and gown rental.

But even those seniors who skip out on the special picnics and dances aren't off the hook. While Harvard Dining Services (HDS) kept two dining halls open for breakfast and lunch all last week, students had to fend for themselves for dinner each night--and are now on their own.

"Over time, we opened up one dining hall and started serving a limited menu....Each year we've been trying to build that up a little bit," says HDS Project Manager Alexandra E. McNitt, who said the dining halls were open for more days this year than last.

Radcliffe First Marshal Tally Zingher '99 said the expanded lunch and dinner service is a huge improvement.

"That's been fantastic. I think that has alleviated a lot of costs and has people eating healthier," she said.

But McNitt said a full meal plan for the weeks after classes end would be difficult to implement.

"We are trying to extend some meals for the seniors for that time...we're still trying to do it on a budget of the board dollars we take in," she said.

For other meals, seniors can choose from several events planned by the Class Committee--from the $20 class picnic to the $35 clambake. Extra guests at the Commencement day House luncheons cost $10 a plate. The Last Chance Dance, which had an open bar for one hour, and the "Booze Cruise," which had a cash bar, each cost $15.

The cost of events is largely determined by how elaborate they are, said Francis R. Holland '00, a student coordinator with the Alumni Office.

Holland said the office works with the Class Committee to set a schedule of events, and ticket prices are basically out of their hands.

"We try and keep them as low as possible," she said. "It depends on what the class committee decides and what they want to do, like having open bar."

Radcliffe Class Marshal Janhavi M. Kirtane '99 said the Class Committee worked hard to keep event costs down.

"We didn't want to exclude anyone because of cost. When things are on the higher end, we tried to have things like open bar," she said.

Ticket prices certainly aren't slowing sales.

Zingher says the Class Committee "has been selling out every event."

"I'm sure there are students who don't go because of the cost, but there are others that take their place," she said.

Besides foraging for food, seniors have to brave a final visit to the Coop--renting caps and gowns, framing diplomas, printing graduation announcements and purchasing class rings.

While a cap and gown rental in the only required expense at $23, the year-books ($75) and class rings (up to about $700) mean purchases can quickly add up.

And while it's not up to Harvard to police Coop prices, some seniors said there are steps the University could take to help with Senior Week costs.

Lisa M. Coar '99 suggested subsidizing events to ease the burden on seniors' wallets.

"If the College or maybe the Undergraduate Council could kick in, that would help," she said.

Zachary W. Norris '99 said an up-front senior event fee included in tuition would help the situation.

Despite the financial burden, some said the variety of events during these final weeks is worth the cost.

"It can get really expensive," Kirtane said, "but it's been a fun week."