Serenading food-throwing rules change

Hayley Tsukayama Staff Writer

On Friday, Sept. 9, Vassar students participated in the long-held tradition of Serenading, the outcome of which was anything but traditional. In a surprising turn of events, Main House—last year’s underdog third place winner—took top honors. Also unexpected was Raymond House’s second place finish. Last year’s Serenading champion, Lathrop House took third place.

The schedule for the day ran fairly similarly to the way it has in the past. The changes made to Serenading this year were “[not] structural,” according to Chad Baker ’06 and member of the Serenading committee. Freshman and house team members gathered outside their dorms around 3 p.m. and sang for the senior class while being hit with food.

The items on the “do throw” list were pared down this year in response to food allergy and other issues. There were only four items on this year’s official list: water, ketchup, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce. Items used in previous years such as mustard and flour, were eliminated from this year’s approved list because of past eye injuries. Students received fliers in their mailboxes on the approved items and prohibited items for throwing.

Senior class president Michael Cashman ’06 was impressed with how closely the Class of 2006 observed the tighter rules. “I saw some flour getting thrown around, but other than that the seniors didn’t seem to have many [unapproved items],” Cashman said. Students processed to Ballantine Field for judging, a part of the tradition that predates the current “food fight with singing” description provided by the official guide to Serenading.

“[This year’s] Serenading was really well organized, from an administrative point of view,” said Terri Quinn, Director of Campus Activities.

A change was that seniors did not seem to favor the dorms that bowed. "There was a little too much groveling," Cashman told Lathrop students as he announced their third place finish, "You embarrassed yourself."

All problems encountered during Serenading this year happened while seniors were making their rounds at dorms. Construction on the quad dorms interfered with the traditional route seniors take during Serenading as well.

Most of the unapproved items thrown were from students inside the quad dormitories on higher floors. Josselyn residents threw eggs and water balloons at seniors and serenaders. Two freshman boys from Davison attacked Jennifer DiIorio ’06 while she was walking behind the senior class. “I must have gotten separated from them [the seniors] somehow, and suddenly I was grabbed by the arms and pushed down to the ground,” she said. The boys covered her with food and then ran away.
“I’m okay,” said DiIorio, “and I’ve already talked to the Davison president about what happened.” Cashman mentioned the attack while co-hosting the judging on Ballantine Field, saying it was unacceptable. On the whole, however, most students agreed that the events of the day went fairly smoothly.