Spring Break
The decision on Burden was well reasoned and right
Joe Badaracco
Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Viewpoints
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April 12, 2007
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the MBA Program, I would like to provide some information regarding the recent decision to return to our policy of not allowing performing arts events and concerts in Burden Auditorium.
First, we regret we did not do more to solicit student input on this decision. When making important decisions, the MBA Program typically seeks extensive feedback from student leaders, runs focus groups, and conducts surveys. We should have done more in this case.
Second, we want to assure the community that Harvard Business School enthusiastically supports student events and dedicates substantial resources to ensure a robust portfolio of speakers, conferences, seminars, career fairs, and dinners, to name just a few. The MBA Program, Department of Operations, Restaurant Associates, Media Services, Marketing and Communications, Career Services, and HBS Financial Office all spend countless hours partnering with student leaders to facilitate the many events we all benefit from and enjoy every day.
Student-run events held in Burden will continue to include conferences, symposia, panels, speakers, and business plan contests. Use of Burden for these types of events has not changed; the return to policy applies only to performing arts events. In addition, such events will continue to be held in Spangler Williams Room.
The reasons we have decided to return to our policy of not allowing performances in Burden (with the exception of the HBS Show) include:
Using Burden for performances takes it off-line for many days or weeks, making it unavailable for its primary purpose of educational and academic events. Event planners are left with the suboptimal choice of either not having access to Burden at all or having high-profile speakers surrounded by theatrical props.
- Community safety is always a primary concern. In the past, there have been incidents violating the School's alcohol policies at performances in Burden, and student event planners have expressed concern over the difficulties of controlling large crowds, often from outside the HBS community. Our experience with this type of event has demonstrated repeatedly that policy violations are more common than we might hope.
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the MBA Program, I would like to provide some information regarding the recent decision to return to our policy of not allowing performing arts events and concerts in Burden Auditorium.
First, we regret we did not do more to solicit student input on this decision. When making important decisions, the MBA Program typically seeks extensive feedback from student leaders, runs focus groups, and conducts surveys. We should have done more in this case.
Second, we want to assure the community that Harvard Business School enthusiastically supports student events and dedicates substantial resources to ensure a robust portfolio of speakers, conferences, seminars, career fairs, and dinners, to name just a few. The MBA Program, Department of Operations, Restaurant Associates, Media Services, Marketing and Communications, Career Services, and HBS Financial Office all spend countless hours partnering with student leaders to facilitate the many events we all benefit from and enjoy every day.
Student-run events held in Burden will continue to include conferences, symposia, panels, speakers, and business plan contests. Use of Burden for these types of events has not changed; the return to policy applies only to performing arts events. In addition, such events will continue to be held in Spangler Williams Room.
The reasons we have decided to return to our policy of not allowing performances in Burden (with the exception of the HBS Show) include:
Using Burden for performances takes it off-line for many days or weeks, making it unavailable for its primary purpose of educational and academic events. Event planners are left with the suboptimal choice of either not having access to Burden at all or having high-profile speakers surrounded by theatrical props.
- Community safety is always a primary concern. In the past, there have been incidents violating the School's alcohol policies at performances in Burden, and student event planners have expressed concern over the difficulties of controlling large crowds, often from outside the HBS community. Our experience with this type of event has demonstrated repeatedly that policy violations are more common than we might hope.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Paul Shafer -- HBS '79
posted 4/18/07 @ 8:22 AM EST
The text above, which comes across as a rationalization that is little and late, suggests that conditions have not materially changed at HBS in the time since our class was there. (Continued…)
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