Being UAlbany students, we have a right to certain events. Who could really blame us? That's how the school welcomes us in as freshmen. From the welcoming candle lighting ceremony and fireworks, great danetopia, clash of the quads, the block party, park fest, homecoming weekend, and LarkFest. You get my point, certain things just wouldn't be right without happening. Last year as a freshman, when I heard of such a thing as "Fountain Day" it sounded like something I would participate in, to support my school. Unfortunately,� Fountain Day was no longer a thing.
Fountain Day was when UAlbany students, faculty, staff are united in celebration of the spring and turning on of the schools main fountain. Our former school president George M. Phillips decided on March 20, 2011 he was suspending fountain day due to several UAlbany students being arrested because of their destructive behavior. I'm in the class of 2019 and we are several years removed from the incidents that took place. Judging by the cancellation of this event, the damages that were done were very serious. however I believe this event is a part of the UAlbany experience. Most, if not all of the students who had the pleasure of experiencing fountain day have graduated and moved on with life. I can't speak for the entire student body, but from the few I have encountered we all came to succeed in our college career and make the most of our experience. Why should we be deprived? Of course, fountain day would never be the same, but why wouldn't we want to keep the tradition alive before it's too late. So I urge the UAlbany students to also want the right that was given to the classes before us, a tradition.
Hopefully, our president Robert Jones, would hear us out. I'm sure he will take into consideration, us as students wanting to celebrate our school together. But to us students, we have to take action, start petitions, and speak out because why should we settle for less? We get to brag about our beautiful fountain, sit at it in between classes and late nights. Why shouldn't we celebrate it together?
