Summers in the Spring

President Lawrence H. Summers’ decision to co-sponsor this year’s Springfest is a promising first step towards improving the annual event. Summers’ involvement may help to distinguish Springfest 2002 from the sparsely-attended and only mildly-entertaining Springfests in previous years.

Summers’ goal of involving the wider College community—from Faculty to staff to their families—in the event is laudable. Increased funding and attendance may help make Harvard’s traditionally low-key Springfest more like the rollicking festivals held at other colleges, such as Brown has. More money might draw bigger-name bands, better rides and a more exciting atmosphere. In order to allow ample time to plan an event on this larger scale, Summers’ office should provide the Undergraduate Council with details of his plans to fund the event as soon as possible.

Summers’ co-sponsorship of Springfest is an encouraging sign that he is making good on his inaugural promise to take a special interest in undergraduates. It is unfortunate, however, that Summers has chosen not to hold the President’s Dance for first-years, which has in the past been an opportunity for first-years to mingle with each other, as well as with the president and his family. While his decision to discontinue the dance may well have been financial, Summers should not view his interactions with undergraduates as a zero-sum game.

The decision by Council President Sujean S. Lee ’03 to accept Summers’ offer of co-sponsorship, without first bringing the matter to a vote before the council, was hasty. The council as a whole is responsible to the student body, and it should have a chance to approve decisions that, like this, affect the undergraduate community. Nevertheless, a Springfest 2002 buoyed by Summers’ co-sponsorship should be a significant improvement over years past.