Brendan Downes
News Editor
Sewanee’s Easter semester is characterized by its unique traditions and rites of passage. For seniors, comprehensive exams (or comps) exemplify the academic rigor and focus that is customary to the Sewanee experience. Comps are major-specific exams that test seniors on their knowledge of their field of study. Depending on the discipline, a comp could be written, oral, or take the form of a year-long project, like a performance or recital. The first period of comps began on January 25, and consequently this semester’s first wave of comp celebrations began as well.
On the morning of January 26, students received an email from the Order of the Gown, reminding students of proper comp celebration etiquette. This email came after glass, confetti, and other trash was found in Spencer Quad following comp celebrations the night prior.
In the email, Sofie Behr (C ‘24), President of the OG, and Claire Langford (C ‘24) asked students to come prepared to celebrate their friends with a plan that guarantees that trash will not be left behind. They noted that “time spent by [facilities management] cleaning up after comps is time FM could be spending on campus beautification [and] work orders.”
Upon talking to seniors across a variety of majors, it seems that comps are the epitome of academic stress on the domain. Comp celebrations provide a way for students to celebrate their hard work and to alleviate the stress that occupied them up to that point. Comp celebrations often consist of alcohol, posters, and confetti which create the possibility for hard to clean and even dangerous messes.
Behr confirmed the importance of comp celebrations as a unique Sewanee tradition. “I want to be clear that I am an avid supporter of comp celebrations, in all their unique Sewanee glory,” Behr said. “I feel strongly that all comping seniors deserve the chance to take part in this tradition.”
On the topic of the importance of Sewanee’s traditions, Behr recognized the variable future of comp celebration and the OG’s role as a guide for students and protector of tradition. “If we aren’t able to consistently show that we can celebrate comps correctly, I worry that this opportunity might be taken away,” Behr said. “I feel confident that the administration understands the situation and also wants us to continue the tradition, so long as we can do so without leaving a mess. This is why ensuring that we clean up after ourselves is so important for maintaining the tradition.”
Regarding the message sent to students, Behr noted that it was not the OG alone who decided a message was necessary, but the decision to handle the matter was an important one to Behr.
“I was contacted by Dean Howard, who reached out to me on behalf of facilities management,” Behr said. “I am incredibly grateful to her for allowing me and Claire Langford to address this student-to-student.”
Having been informed about facilities management’s concerns, Behr said she was “disappointed.”
“Their work on campus is often behind the scenes and they go without much recognition,” Behr said. “It felt important for me to send a strong message in support of their requests for us to clean up after ourselves.”
In light of the necessity to prevent further messes, Behr listed a few specific ways students can better prepare for comp celebrations. She said, “Bring an extra bag so you can throw [trash] away as you go.” Additionally, the OG will be supplying trash cans at comp walk-outs for the rest of the semester to make it easier for students to “leave no trace.” Behr also mentioned the importance of talking with your friends about what they want after their comp. “Talk to your comping friend about what they want so signs or other celebratory materials are not wasted,” Behr said.
Although Dean Howard, facilities management, and the OG have brought to students’ attention the need to be more aware during our community’s more celebratory moments, Behr made clear that the OG’s intention is to prioritize and protect Sewanee’s community and morals.
“I think cleaning up after ourselves during comp celebrations is an important exercise in maturity and good citizenship,” Behr said. “On top of that though, leaving trash behind presents environmental and health concerns. Trash like confetti or other plastics are detrimental to the environment as they do not disintegrate, so it’s just best practice to make sure that this trash is removed. Additionally, broken glass presents a major concern to campus safety. We want to keep Sewanee beautiful and safe, and that’s the foundation of our stance on comp celebrations.”