This Week at Vassar | 1973

In December of 1973, Vassar’s Student Entertainment Committee (SEC) announced a special guest at their formal dance to be held in February. Duke Ellington and his “World Famous Orchestra” were billed to play in the Students’ Center. The Miscellany News reported that the dance would be held in that location because the SEC believed that “Duke Ellington deserves a little more class than available in the Kenyon Gym.” This was one of the first times that the Students’ Center was used for social events and logistics became complicated. Workers at ACDC worried about “beer stains on the rugs” and “improper handling of tables and equipment by students.” They necessitated that only the East Wing was to be open for Saturday’s dinner and Sunday’s breakfast. A petition was distributed to make sure students would support this provision. To further complicate things, although both wings and the lobby of the Students’ Center would be open for the dance, a county building inspector would only certify that 800 people could be safely held within the building. Ticket priority was therefore given to students.

—Emma Epstein, Asstant Life Editor