Hamilton traditions clothed: Community vs. commodity

by Keith MacArtney '13
OPINION EDITOR

It was not so long ago that Hamilton took pride in its traditions over all other aspects of life on the Hill. Almost all Hamiltonians anxiously anticipated traditions and other events as times when the community was able to come together as a whole, forgetting the limitations of our usual friend groups and cliques, bringing together both the loveliest of light-siders and dankest of dark-siders.

Today, we are drawn together not necessarily by community but rather by one commodity – the free t-shirt.

Perhaps new rules and regulations are to blame for the fall of tradition and the rise of the t-shirt. With new policies affecting events such as the Citrus Bowl and Class & Charter Day, Hamilton students are not as excited to unite and hang out as one group or to celebrate our community by taking part in meaningful events.

No matter how silly or absurd a tradition may seem, that does not make it any less valuable as a means of continuity. Think about it – Hamilton traditions can be weird.

We throw oranges at the opposing team to celebrate the first hockey goal of the season at Citrus Bowl. We unite as one group to party and celebrate a year of achievements on Class & Charter Day. We are the home of the first and only Varsity Streaking Team. These examples may seem strange, but they are what make Hamilton College unique from the vast list of liberal arts colleges in America.

To put it lightly, we do not want our traditions clothed by rules and regulations. That is not at all to say that t-shirts are not wonderful – they are. However, perhaps they should not be the draw to events that are meant to unite us to celebrate our past and present.

Rules that discourage our traditions must be reevaluated. When I graduate from Hamilton, I would like to say I have a collection of great memories, rather than just a collection of great t-shirts.