Middlebury College hosts the country's oldest student-run carnival. For many students, the carnival, which typically runs for three days in February, is considered the pinnacle of the Middlebury experience, encapsulating student life in Vermont. This year, the 103rd winter carnival was no exception, and the editorial board commend the student organisers who continue to work to extend a rich tradition of student history. More broadly, the weekend speaks to what we call on the college to consider: Student events over overly bureaucratic, office-led programming.
This year, students sported the brightest neons to match the “après-ski” theme at the Snowbowl, while others ate s'mores at a bonfire and created ice sculptures outside of Proc. A sense of joy pulses throughout the community during the Carnival’s duration. In a way, many students finally feel the campus come alive. At a time of increasing uncertainty on college campuses, and in the college environment here at the college, which often feels bogged down in division, the carnival was a reminder of the rich tradition this school has to share and the dedication that students, who are only transient stakeholders, have to maintain that tradition.
The main attraction for most students is the celebration of our NCAA Division I Nordic and Alpine ski teams at the Bowl. It provides students with an opportunity to rally around extraordinary and accomplished athletes while also celebrating what makes Middlebury special and unique. The races at the Bowl perfectly combine athletic achievement with a feeling of collective identity. Additionally, the proximity to the mountains and our natural environment is a testament to this quintessential Vermont tradition.
In the spirit of student-led tradition, the Editorial Board unanimously commended the success and hard work of the Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB). Many of us attended these student-designed activities that epitomised the spirit of the Carnival, especially for those who might be less inclined to participate in the drinking culture that often envelops the Bowl's festivities. We discussed how student events inadvertently provided the substance-free programming that many college offices have struggled to offer. MCAB found a way to tap into the magical experience of winter in Vermont while simultaneously forging a sense of community and camaraderie in the student body.
For instance, those who attended the Winter Bash emphasized its thoughtful and impressive organization. The event included free food, live performances from Evo and Riddim, a DJ, and even a coat check. In addition, the Winter Carnival Ice Show was a fan favorite and displayed the talent and hard work of the skating club at Middlebury. It also became a way to involve the town in the Carnival with guest skaters and people of all ages showcasing their skills. Other activities included a guest hypnotist and comedian, free crewnecks on Proc terrace, and waffles and hot chocolate in Coltrane Lounge.
For a student-run weekend, we discussed how one non-student-led program, transportation to the snowbowl, left much to be desired. This year, students were not permitted to park at the Bowl or on Route 125 on Friday or Saturday. Instead, Middlebury provided free shuttle services every 30 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Tri-Valley Transit, which normally transports students to the Bowl, was not providing any services. The buses were well-intentioned, an attempt to discourage drunk driving and limit overcrowding in the parking lot. However, the design showed serious flaws.
The Editorial Board described the bus system as a strange and stressful experience. Some people waited in line for over an hour to get to the slopes, only to ultimately decide it was not worth it. One bus even broke down halfway there. It is a shame that these people were unable to participate in the festivities due to limited accessibility. Many students became frustrated and upset, and, naturally, the concepts of respect and patience began to break down. In order to avoid drunk driving and irresponsible behavior, the alternative needs to actually work. Otherwise, all incentive to do the right thing disintegrates. We worry that the poor transport arrangements to the snowbowl will discourage students from using this safer mode of transport next year. Bus drivers and crowd managers were left to manage student lines, often in vain, because there was a lack of available transport.
While we, as students, are trying to keep our traditions alive, our administration might have undermined the overall success of the festive weekend with logistical challenges that dampened the experience for many. One potential solution to the transportation problem is to leverage our existing infrastructure and introduce student drivers and campus vans. The bus debacle, however, did have a silver lining: it reminded us of our potential to build a close-knit, supportive community. For example, many students who parked at Rikert Outdoor Center were picked up by Middlebury alumni or friends on the way to the Bowl. In one sense, overcrowding and poor planning brought out the best of the Middlebury community. But in another, Middlebury showed a keen lack of awareness of the bowl's popularity (a 103-year-old event), underestimating the number of students who would line up for the buses. While students work hard to keep traditions alive, it seems Middlebury is more interested in mitigating risk than helping to create the inclusive, community-oriented campus culture we all strive for, one that Carnival could represent if done properly. The college communications office proudly advertised this student-run, century-old event. We ask that they ensure students can participate safely and fairly in this next year by providing more frequent, tangible transportation services to the snowbowl.
The Winter Carnival provided a momentary fracture in the daily rigor that pervades campus culture. Middlebury no longer felt “corporate,” losing its bureaucratic exterior and revealing a vibrant underneath. This show of school spirit and pure elation is refreshing, but it is also sad that for many, it feels like a rarity. A Middlebury that fosters these feelings for more than three days need not feel far-fetched or unrealistic. We believe the answer lies with the students. Student activity is the only way to strengthen this temporary bliss into a more durable vivacity. Joy and passion are the byproducts of student music groups, dance groups, sports teams, and the upcoming Nocturne arts festival, a moment which feels similar to the student-run nature of the carnival. We are calling upon Middlebury to foster a culture in which students can express their creativity and talents without being burdened by tedious campus regulations and ineffective processes. To revitalize our school spirit, Middlebury must give the power back to the students and allow them to be at the center of the traditions that make our campus special.
