Class leaders warn against Hey Day excess

Both the senior and junior class boards are encouraging responsible behavior this Hey Day.

Class representatives sent e-mails to both juniors and seniors warning against a repeat of recent Hey Days at which members of the senior class have thrown condiments, food and other substances at juniors as they march down Locust Walk. The tradition has come to be called "Hey Deja Vu."

They have also warned students that University administrators will punish any students caught engaging in such behavior. Video cameras on Locust Walk will be used to capture the event.

Junior Class President and Wharton junior Andrew Kaplan said that there will be increased police presence at Hey Day in addition to the video cameras.

"We hope these serve as a deterrent, and while we hope there is no incident, if there is one, there will be consequences for student actions," Kaplan said.

Members of the Senior Class Board had an alternative solution to cutting down on "Hey Deja Vu" excesses.

They suggested to administrators that the board be allowed to approve certain items -- like ketchup or flour -- that seniors would be allowed to throw at juniors as they march past them.

But the board instead settled for an e-mail announcement that warned seniors not to go too far.

Senior Class President and College senior Pierre Gooding said that approving certain items could be seen as institutionalizing the "Hey Deja Vu tradition."

"The ultimate goal is to try to curb the activity together," Gooding said. Hey Deja Vu "is relatively new and not an actual part of Hey Day, although people may think so since it has been around since [current seniors] first came to Penn."

The announcements from the Junior and Senior Class Boards have focused on the potentially dangerous effects of throwing objects as well as on the punishment with which the administration is threatening any who take part.

University officials also sent out an e-mail detailing general hazing policies and punishments.

"I think that the Class of 2006 understands it has a responsibility to preserve Hey Day as a tradition at Penn," Gooding said.

But Kaplan, the Junior Class president, knows that large scale change will take more time.

"Getting rid of Hey Deja Vu will take a number of years, and it will take students being serious about trying to save the tradition and being respectful of each other," he said.

Some students think the University is overstepping its bounds by threatening to cancel Hey Day entirely.

"The University can crack down on [it], but they should not get rid of it entirely," College junior Kyle Bell said.

But for now, Bell added, juniors should be prepared to get messy no matter what.

"If you don't want to get hit with shaving cream or syrup, you should stay inside," he said.

Comments (12)

I heard that four years ago the Palladium left mustard and ketchup out and some seniors threw it at students. The next year some seniors sought revenge and threw all kinds of nasty things. Now we have a new and stupid "tradition". A food and piss fight. Community colleges could come up with a more original idea. We look real lame here. Reek

This is not a TRADITION....as little as four years ago none of this went on. "They suggested to administrators that the board be allowed to approve certain items -- like ketchup or flour". Please, do you have any idea how ridiculous this sounds. Seniors should grow up and let the juniors enjoy this day. 2002 Alum Philly

Let's join an old and new tradition. Instead of throwing food products. Buy a crapload of red and blue streamers and toss them at the juniors coming down the walk. The walk would be covered in red and blue, the seniors could cover the juniors in junk, and it would look crazy. Just an idea for a more civil solution. Hojo

as an 04 alum, i remember a few people getting hit with stuff but it definately wasn't widespread. I don't see why anyone would find throwing food to be a necessary part of hey day. That said, I like Hojo's idea of streamers. It would also be a good photo op for the admissions pamphlet to have all the juniors walking down the walk in matching shirts with hats and canes with red and blue streamers flying overhead... p.o

Seniors, acting like children and whining like babies, graduating from an ivy league university...wait until these immature spoiled brats join the real world; they will get a reality check they will never forget. Staff

Semen filled condoms should be thrown to symbolize the stains that these juniors have become! Johnson

Hojo the streamers are a good idea. It's a little too late for this year's class boards to implement, but a great idea for future classes. Kevin

Staff, please shut the fuck up. We all know the real world is out there; in fact, most of us probably better prepared for it than you are. I'm sure you get joy out of your miserable life by convincing yourself that one day, everyone who is succeeding around you will "get theirs". In reality, we will continue to adapt, evolve, grow up, take our lumps, and ultimately succeed. And you will still be posting to the DP about all the "whiny babies" who want "free rides". So do us all a favor, get back to pushing papers around your cubicle, don't forget to punch out for lunch, make sure no one steals your stapler, and hope that one day you'll have an Ivy-League graduate employer who is nice to you. asshole

Streamers are a great idea! That would be an incredible photo and a great way to have a great time. Melody, student Penn melodyk@sas.upenn.edu

What time is march starting on Hey Day? Senior

My senior year ('02) we had Hey Deja Vu but all it involved was wearing white Hey Deja Vu shirts, drinking at the Palladium, and loudly and obnoxiously cheering "'02" as the '03 class went by. There was no food or condiments thrown... I don't know when or why the food started, but I know it wasn't with my class. It's sad that the celebration has turned in to what it is now. Hey Day was one of my best memories of Penn. '02 Alum Philly

streamers? are you serious? let's get out the big wheels while we're at it. it's not like it's the graduation ceremony... if you can't deal with a (one-sided) food fight late in your college career, that's kind of sad. tappy tibbins tappytibbins@dodgeit.com

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