<ring term at Carleton means warmer weather, a more relaxed atmosphere, and several traditional campus-wide activities, including Rotblatt, Spring Concert, and Superhero Party.
While these activities remain fundamentally unchanged, Carleton students and administration have worked together this year to produce minor scheduling and safety changes to spring term events.
“People are getting into the party mood. Everyone wants to have some fun,” said Erin Lopez ‘13, a Music & Dance Program Assistant for the Student Activities Programming Board (SAPB).
Traditionally, Rotblatt has been on the seventh weekend of spring term and Superhero Party has been on the ninth weekend. However, the student Rotblatt Coordinating Committee chose to move Rotblatt to ninth weekend this year to ensure nice weather, and the Student Activities programming board subsequently chose to move Superhero Party to second weekend.
Rotblatt, a softball game that lasts as many innings as there are years in Carleton’s existence and for which players are required to have a drink in hand at all times, was rainy and cold last year. Helen Grossman ’12, a Rotblatt Committee organizer said, “We’re trying to avoid another 40 degree Rotblatt.”
As a result of this schedule change, Superhero Party, a dance at The Grand in Northfield where students dress as superheroes, will be held this weekend.
“One of the goals the SAPB is to continually work toward offering something for students each weekend,” said Nadine Sunderland, the Assistant Director of Student Activities. “They work to provide a wide array of programs in hopes of offering something to everyone during the term.”
The group of five students on the Rotblatt Coordinating Committee has worked with college administration members on Rotblatt’s schedule change, as well as changes to the event caused by the new campus alcohol policy, which will require the substitution of cans for kegs of beer provided at Rotblatt.
“We work with the college to figure out a reasonable alternative that still upholds the Rotblatt spirit, so students don’t resent us and don’t resent the college,” said Grossman. “The school was really willing to work around this huge tradition that people love.”
Students and administration address student safety for each spring term event. “We consider what is the best way to have safety without interfering with what students want to do,” said Sonali Gupta ‘12, a Music & Dance Program Assistant.
Grossman said, “We are taking precautions to making handing out shirts a safer process.”
Members of both the Student Activities Office and the Rotblatt Coordinating Committee stated that Carleton’s traditional spring term events have not changed drastically. Grossman said, “Rotblatt’s still going to be fun…We just have to get used to new, crazy guidelines. It’s still Rotblatt.”
This year, Superhero Party will be on April 5th, and Rotblatt will be on May 26th.
The Rotblatt shirt-design contest is starting. The design must be a play on a famous work of art, must include a keg, and the Rotblatt year, which is 146. Submissions should be sent to [email protected] by April 20.