I have been reading up on anything I can find about BMC on the internet, and saw a couple recent posts on other sites that cause concern. First, I have seen at least two posts indicating that the administration is considering curtailing some of the traditions. Second, I’ve seen posts saying there has been a recent decline in the quality of food, one indicating that the reason is because dining service has been outsourced to an outside company. Anybody out there like to quash what I hope are no more than unsubstantiated rumors?
No one has responded to this. I am an alumna–not a recent one, but I try to keep up with news about the college–and mother of a current applicant. I’m not sure what posts and sites you have been reading, but I would encourage you to be a critical reader of your sources and to go directly to the college for certain factual information, such as who is running the college dining service. Anyone there should be able to answer that. The college began during my time as an undergraduate to run its own meal plan, and the food quickly became excellent. It became popular for Haverford students to eat at Bryn Mawr because our food was much better than Haverford’s. It was excellent last time I visited–probably 2010. I believe the college still runs its own food service. But you could ask about that. That said, the food wasn’t very good my freshman year but it was still a great education. Don’t over-value food, climbing walls, and student centers in choosing your college. Dig deep: this is your education.
As for traditions, my understanding is that a longstanding tradition in which sophomores “welcomed” the freshman through some friendly, teasing rituals had turned, in some respects, in the direction of a hazing tradition. The college administration stepped in, working with the student-elected Traditions Mistress(es) to craft a version of this tradition which would not allow for any hazing component. To me that seems only appropriate and prudent; to some younger alumnae who had fond memories of the version of the tradition which they experienced, it seems like an overreach and a breach of Bryn Mawr’s tradition of student self-governance. I assume you’ve stumbled onto a website that reflects the latter view. It is far from the only view. Bryn Mawr’s traditions for me were a wonderful way to feel connected with my fellow students and with the college’s past: as with any traditions, specific practices and their meaning for individuals will evolve over time. I hope if you choose Bryn Mawr they will be meaningful for you as well. Singing with my classmates in ancient Greek in 3-part harmony in the light of our lanterns is one of my favorite recollections and I expect that Bryn Mawrtyrs will be doing that for the another 130 years.
Bryn Mawr is a rigorous yet nurturing place to grow intellectually and socially as a young woman. Good luck to you!
Hello! Current student here. So, we have 4 main traditions: Parade Night, Lantern Night, May Day, and Hell Week. After someone complained last year administration has renamed Hell Week to WTF week, for Welcome the Freshmen. Things didn’t actually change that much aside from the names of all the events, dropped one specific event that I can think of, and that now both hellers and hellees (now called roses and buds). As well as one more thing that’s honestly not a huge deal.
And the food is pretty good! Much better here than at Haverford though. I eat at the dining halls every night, so I should know. Hope to see you here!
I’m a current student, and while some say that food quality has gone downhill in the last years, it is agreed upon that it is still quite good, and it hasn’t been outsourced to a different company. Personally, I love the food and haven’t noticed a change in quality. I would say the only difference would be they got rid of fresh squeezed orange juice, but only because the dining hall was spending a ridiculous amount on oranges.
As for traditions, they can be personalized for your interests. Of the four big traditions, the only one with any changes is Hell Week, which is now called WTF week (though everyone still refers to it as Hell Week). There have been some name changes of events, and now there is more guidance (you have to go to a presentation about hazing and the college’s rules); however, there is minimal difference in the tradition itself besides one perhaps unimportant aspect. If you want a more “hazing” experience (important to note that you never have to do anything you don’t want to or be pressured into anything), you could easily have one, and in the same note, if you wanted a more relaxed experience that is also super possible. The tradition really depends on the person, as each person’s experience is personalized for them. I was really worried about the potential decline of hell week and administration overstepping it’s boundaries, but it ended up being a non issue.
Hope I could be some help!