Barnard College - Mortarboard Yearbook (New York, NY)

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BEARS AND LIONS REVISITED During my four years at Barnard, I think the one complaint I most frequently heard was that there is no social life on the Columbia and Barnard campuses. Many students, especially Col- lege men, support the proposed merger of the two institutions, believing that this would better the social situation. This is one Barnard senior who thinks that is ridiculous. If students from either college have not met congenial members of the opposite sex, it just might be because they are too lazy to leave their rooms and cross Broadway; many of us live in co-ed dorms and need not do even that! We live in a great city, vibrant with energy and life, and New York is undoubtedly one of Columbia ' s greatest assets. A night downtown can not be compared to a night on campus, but I have found that the reverse can be true as well. Most of us can not afford to go downtown very frequently; so why is time to study so hard to find? There is always something to do on campus; there is always something going on. Life here has very much improved in just the last couple of years. Programming is now done on a larger scale and events are of a higher quality. The large programming organiza- tions, Barnard ' s McAc and Columbia ' s Board of Managers, are open to all students and hold events open to the whole campus communi- ty. At least two films are screened weekly, frequently three and sometimes even four. Dances of all sorts take place on weekends: rock roll, disco, sixties, fifties, live bands, other theme, no theme, etc. Events can be as varied as a roller disco or a candlelight cafe. There are more clubs to join and more possibilities of starting new ones than ever before. Clubs have their own socials and parties as well, so that their members can get to know each other in a friendly atmosphere, or just meet other students who share similar interests, though they may or may not have the time to join a club. Dorms are still sponsoring regular brunches, happy hours and floor parties, all aimed at a closer-knit student body, and a happier college community. Although dorm events tend to be oriented towards its residents, the rest of the campus is always invited and welcome to join in whatever event it may be running. New features, such as the BHR Coffeehouse and the Reid commuter lounge have been recent additions to the Barnard scene. So why don ' t students meet? For the student who is willing to get involved, for the student who is willing to go out and meet other students, our joint cam- puses offer ample occasions to do so. Our university is a very special place, with an atmosphere all its own. Those of us who tried, rather than just expected, to go out and meet people and have a good time during our stay here, will be sorry to leave what has become our second home — our campus. However, a social life has to be sought out, it does not just happen suddenly, does not come knocking on your Carman door. Accepting women into Columbia College will not make socializing any easier, or friends easier to find. Time spent complaining about a lack of campus life would be better spent hanging out on the steps! Frances Erlbacher B ' 81 16