Council member James R. Griffin ’02 says Summers’ involvement may help the council expand Springfest into a bigger event—and perhaps move it to a larger area.

“Generally we’ve had a tough time doing that because the administration has been reluctant to move us out of the Mac Quad and move us to a larger space such as the Stadium or Harvard Yard,” Griffin says.

Lee says she will be meeting with House Masters next week to discuss expanding the event into House space, possibly the Winthrop courtyard.

No First-Year Dance

Wrinn says Summers is choosing to nix the President’s Dance in favor of co-sponsoring Springfest because the latter will allow him to interact with more undergraduates.

The semi-formal dance, in past years gave first-years the opportunity to meet then-University President Neil L. Rudenstine and his wife Angelica.

Some first-years say they regret not having another opportunity to socialize with their class.

“Freshman formal was really fun and I think that another chance to bring together the freshmen would be nice,” says Caroline C. Sedgwick ’05. “It would also be a good way for us to meet President Summers in a personal setting rather than a strictly academic one. It would be nice for him to give his time to us if he could.”

“It was awkward, but I liked it and it’s too bad they’re cancelling it,” says Scott F. Goldman ’04, who attended last year’s event.

Stella, who “wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of going and hanging out with the president and has wife” and did not attend the dance her first year, says the cancellation is not a big deal.

“If he’s committed to [Springfest] rather than the first-year dance I think it’s great,” she says.

From Sever Hall to Mass. Hall

Lee says co-sponsorship of Springfest was entirely Summers’ idea.