Sic
vos non vobis mellificatis ape
— So
d o yo u b e es m a k e h o n e y , n o t f o r yo u r se lv e s .
Virgil
2015 Newsletter of the Signet Society of Harvard College 4 6 D u n s t e r S t r e e t , C a m b r i d g e , M a ss a c h u s e t t s 0 2 1 3 8 • 6 1 7 - 5 4 7 - 0 5 2 6 • S i g n e t S o c i e t y . o r g
The Signet’s New Open Application Process
A good portion of Harvard’s current campus discussion focuses on inclusivity and access. A concensus has emerged that all students should be able to apply for membership in Harvard affiliates, instead of waiting to be asked to apply. The Crimson, Lampoon, and Advocate have had open comps for years. The Signet’s habit of “put-ups” struck undergrads as discriminating against students who didn’t happen to know a current member. This fall, all juniors and seniors were eligible to submit a body of artistic or literary work for consideration. (In the spring, all sophomores and juniors may apply.) The subsequent peer review is the same as before, with (ideally) the most accomplished candidates being elected.
For some years, undergrads have been concerned that certain types of artists weren’t represented in our membership, most often the solitary arts whose practitioners often struggle to find a place to show their work, and whose efforts are unknown to their fellow students. Painters, sculptors, filmmakers and photographers were hard to find, while theater people, musicians, and those affiliated with large performance groups were well-represented. Led by undergraduate president Anna Hagen ’15, last year’s membership held several well-attended
member meetings and approved a proposal to implement a new application process. This fall, under the helm of current president Daniel Citron ’16, the process was tried out.
Good news—it worked! We received 90 applications, of whom perhaps 20-25 would not have been involved previously. Among the applicants were illustrators who were not affiliated with a campus magazine, photographers, performance artists and improv comedians. The process was also appreciated by the current membership, who had been uncomfortable with the burden of picking only one or two of their fellow artists to “put up.” Now, they could encourage all their talented friends to apply and participate in a process open to all who are passionate about the arts and literature. The undergraduate officers had set up initial screening committees. Six undergrads reviewed each applicant—three from within the applicant’s field or a related field, and three from unrelated fields. These committees reduced the candidate pool to 40 candidates who were then considered by the entire membership. 17 were ultimately elected. It was more work, but the membership feels that the results are more representative of the most talented students at Harvard.