The Saint Rose Chronicle

Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Chronicle Archives The morning of Halloween in 2006.

Media Credit: Chronicle Archives Wasted toilet paper covers campus trees and lawn.

Traditions at The College of Saint Rose are very important to the close knit community of students. They are very community based and involve a lot of student participation. One of those traditions, known as "TP the tree," is the only near spontaneous event, as well as the only tradition organized by the student body. At a public meeting in the Touhey Forum of the Lally building on Thursday at 1 p.m., a debate about whether this tradition is a good thing, or if it was better off not taking place at all. Several people, such as faculty, students, and even a first year janitor, attended to voice their views on this annual tradition.

The discussion, originally figured to be just a simple yes or no type of situation, turned out to be more of a suggestive debate on what ways the school can embrace the tradition while finding ways to keep it from getting out of control. The majority of people agreed that this tradition was a great way for students to join together as a community, despite the realization that the amount of toilet paper used was very wasteful in a world where the environment is increasing in importance everyday.

An idea that students could continue this tradition, but in moderation, was brought up. By limiting the amount of toilet paper being used, and having a student or two in charge of the event, the amount of waste and potential for injury could be reduced. The students in charge would even provide a background of this tradition and what it really means to the students here.

Bryan Bee, a sophomore at The College of Saint Rose this year, agreed that this was a tradition cherished by the student body.

"It's a very big tradition here. It does get a little out of hand and it's an environmental issue," Bee said. "However, it's not one of the worst or best things happening on the campus."

Other faculty went on to say that it's an event that calls out to the 30% of males that attend this school. It's interesting to see male participation in events at a school so dominated by the female population. The other few traditions the school holds are mainly female dominated in turnouts. The spontaneity of the event, along with the enjoyment of participating in the "TP the tree tradition," draws attention to the males of the college, and brings them together into the campus community.

Alternatives were mentioned by a few people. The one that seemed to be the most agreed upon for now was brought up by Student Association President Schuyler Bull. He stated he would like to see the tradition continue.

"Shutting it down completely would potentially cause other problems with students, such as real acts of vandalism," Bull said. "We should make it an event through the school so it can be more controlled, but it should also be primarily a student organized program so that everyone who attends can still enjoy the popular tradition."

A Saint Rose janitor was also present at this discussion. This was his first Halloween at the college. He wasn't too pleased with the massive amount of wasted toilet paper. Another woman voiced the idea of having students help pitch in to clean it up. Many of the students complain about not being able to find places to do community service, so this occurrence could be made into an opportunity for students to achieve some hours.

Another student in attendance mentioned a few things he had encountered from this tradition. Nathan Graber, a junior this year at Saint Rose, was not too fond of this event. Graber saw that the tradition was a waste of resources in a world that needs to pay more attention to the environment. He also added that "the RA's involved with this tradition confuse me. They supply the students with a portion of the toilet paper and participate in the event. Then, when things get out of hand, they flip sides and try to get everyone out of there."

Many people enjoy this tradition here at the college. From the audience that attended this discussion people agreed that a tradition like this is a great community event. A temporary solution on how to deal with the tradition will be decided upon over this semester, and possibly put into effect next year.

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