Prohibitively expensive college reunion - Darthmouth, you dissapoint me!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dartmouth reunion is a bargain, as a major Princeton reunion (e.g. 20th or 25th) is about $1000 flying solo. That does cover 3 days of meals, live music, open bar, plus a class sports jacket, fleece, hats, reunion class photo, reunion photo album, etc.

Is this really true? I'm a Princeton grad who hasn't reached 20, but my "expensive" reunion was about $300 for meals (I didn't eat most of them) and dorm accommodation. That still seemed expensive. I can't see spending $1000. Does it vary a lot?

And shouldn't Princeton pay you to wear that ghastly class jacket?

[Anonymous]

I think that's about what Yale is charging this year. I decided not to go, but more because most of my set isn't going and I'd wind up going solo (divorced, and don't think my kid would like the kids club activities). It's a lot of money to go smile at people I kind of knew a bit.

I do go for events connected to an activity I was involved heavily with there. In that case I have no trouble going solo, because I know many people well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow--the humblebrag is out of control on this thread. Waaah, I went to Dartmouth.

You do realize that the OP didn't attend Dartmouth, right? Is simply mentioning a school's name considered s humble brag now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dartmouth reunion is a bargain, as a major Princeton reunion (e.g. 20th or 25th) is about $1000 flying solo. That does cover 3 days of meals, live music, open bar, plus a class sports jacket, fleece, hats, reunion class photo, reunion photo album, etc.

Is this really true? I'm a Princeton grad who hasn't reached 20, but my "expensive" reunion was about $300 for meals (I didn't eat most of them) and dorm accommodation. That still seemed expensive. I can't see spending $1000. Does it vary a lot?

Can't say whether it varies a lot from class to class but yes, it was almost $1000 for my 20th and 25th at Princeton. That is without lodging. My kids love all the swag, and the reunion meals and live bands and open bars are great, but it is not an expensive 3 days.

[Anonymous]

Well, it IS Dartmouth. I mean, fuck the freeloaders, right? Isn't that Dartmouth 101?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, it IS Dartmouth. I mean, fuck the freeloaders, right? Isn't that Dartmouth 101?

I believe that's Dartmouth's motto, is it not?

[Anonymous]

The Dartmouth 20th this year is only about $265 per adult. Is this the 25th or 30th?

[Anonymous]

OP here,

Thanks everyone for the input. This is for a 25th class reunion. I understand that it is the classmates that organize it. I guess what bums me out is that his classmates gave not have put themselves in the shoes of anyone else with a lower salary and figured out options to make the reunion accessible to all. At my undergrad, that absolutely would have been a consideration whether it was something organized by the administration, alumni, or students. But... we went to very different institutions.

We are still debating what to do. At this point my spouse isn't really interested in going on his own or having us go but not register. Both are fine for me, but it is his reunion, so its his call.

Now, my moment on the soapbox, readers of the list-serve, if you are planning an event, reunion, what have you, and you want to make it welcoming and accessible for all, keep this in mind! Figure out lower cost options - a la carte instead of package, etc. Your classmates will thank you for it!

Thanks again for all the input.

[Anonymous]

H's Ivy reunion was under 200 for adults so that seems ridiculously high.

[Anonymous]

Dartmouth '93 here. I organize my high school reunions, and these types of complaints burn my but. If I try to keep costs down, people complain that they are paying a lot to travel and stay, and feel that it is an insult to them to get cheap food or no entertainment. People have no idea the costs for putting on a weekend event (to rent multiple venues, hire staff, pay for catering, etc.). The reunion weekend costs also are used to pay for the mailings, and to pay a service to track down most recent addresses. No one is making money on reunions. Do you think the College should take money out of the general tuition fund to subsidize reunions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dartmouth '93 here. I organize my high school reunions, and these types of complaints burn my but. If I try to keep costs down, people complain that they are paying a lot to travel and stay, and feel that it is an insult to them to get cheap food or no entertainment. People have no idea the costs for putting on a weekend event (to rent multiple venues, hire staff, pay for catering, etc.). The reunion weekend costs also are used to pay for the mailings, and to pay a service to track down most recent addresses. No one is making money on reunions. Do you think the College should take money out of the general tuition fund to subsidize reunions?

Reunion should definitely be about the food and entertainment -- screw inclusivity and seeing your freeloading classmates! Isn't that the Dartmouth motto?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dartmouth '93 here. I organize my high school reunions, and these types of complaints burn my but. If I try to keep costs down, people complain that they are paying a lot to travel and stay, and feel that it is an insult to them to get cheap food or no entertainment. People have no idea the costs for putting on a weekend event (to rent multiple venues, hire staff, pay for catering, etc.). The reunion weekend costs also are used to pay for the mailings, and to pay a service to track down most recent addresses. No one is making money on reunions. Do you think the College should take money out of the general tuition fund to subsidize reunions?

Reunion should definitely be about the food and entertainment -- screw inclusivity and seeing your freeloading classmates! Isn't that the Dartmouth motto?

Oh shut up. I've organized my high school reunions and agree with the '93. People have no idea what things cost. And the people who bitch the most don't EVER volunteer to organize or help out in any way. OP for the 30th your husband should volunteer for the reunion committee. He can do the Costco run for hot dogs and paper plates and find classmates to volunteer in shifts to grill and clean for hundreds of people. Don't forget to find someone who will set up tents for free in case it rains. Forget programs, name tags, and just plug in someone's iPod for music. I'm sure that will work for 300 people. Screw chairs and tables, everyone can take turns balancing on the senior fence.

After everyone hauls up to Hanover and has the $20 hot dog, lemonade and brownies, then what will they do. Just stand around in front of the Hop, have a chat, and drive home?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Princeton grad and the reunions are expensive. But I usually go solo, which is more affordable. Maybe consider that? In reality, it's never as fun for the spouse and kids as the alum. Another option would be to all go up there and you and the kids don't buy wristbands. You can still see the campus, hang out with DH, and do other stuff.

Also, don't know if this is true for you, but for us you can go for free or a very nominal charge in an off-year. If you have friends the class below or above, that can work out nicely.

So does your spouse think Princeton is a cult, b/c my spouse sure does.

And Dartmouth grad, I assume it's the same weekend of event of endless drinks and bands and some huge participate percentage (though I think Princeton has the most alums 'going back' - see note about cult above).

But grand scheme of things, I would bet insurance for these things is crazy especially at Dartmouth and Princeton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dartmouth reunion is a bargain, as a major Princeton reunion (e.g. 20th or 25th) is about $1000 flying solo. That does cover 3 days of meals, live music, open bar, plus a class sports jacket, fleece, hats, reunion class photo, reunion photo album, etc.

Is this really true? I'm a Princeton grad who hasn't reached 20, but my "expensive" reunion was about $300 for meals (I didn't eat most of them) and dorm accommodation. That still seemed expensive. I can't see spending $1000. Does it vary a lot?

And shouldn't Princeton pay you to wear that ghastly class jacket?

+1

But it's a beer jacket: it has huge pockets for stashing solo cups of beer. No it's not water proof.

[Anonymous]

They most likely do not think it's much money. If you can not afford $450 or 1k for a weekend after graduating an Ivy, you are not going to show. What are you going to say when your friends(who have made it) ask you what you do or the school hits you up for money?