Difference between revisions of "Orgo Night"

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On the day before the Organic Chemistry exam—which is always on the first day of finals—at precisely the stroke of midnight, the [[Columbia University Marching Band]] occupies the Reading Room (209) of [[Butler Library]] to distract diligent students from studying.
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[[Image:OrgoNightF2010.jpg|thumb|240px|Orgo Night, Fall 2010]]
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[[Image:Orgo.jpg|thumb|The Drum Major leading the [[CUMB]] during Orgo Night]]
  
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Though the performance doesn't begin until midnight, early arrival is recommended as students begin to file in and claim prime spaces in the room as early as 15 to 20 minutes ahead of time. Despite the commotion, at least some students attempt to study through the event.
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'''Orgo Night''' is held on the day before the [[Organic Chemistry]] ("Orgo") exam, which is always on the first day of [[finals]]. At precisely the stroke of midnight, the [[Columbia University Marching Band]] occupies [[Butler 209|Room 209]] (the main reading room) of [[Butler Library]] to distract diligent students from studying - in fact, one of its legendary purposes is to lower the curve of the Orgo exam. Despite the commotion, at least some students attempt to study through the event.
  
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After a half-hour script of campus-interest jokes and music, the procession then moves out to [[Van Am Quad]] to entertain the residents there. The band then plays at various other locations around the campus, including the courtyard of [[Wien]], and the residential quadrangle of [[Barnard College]], where students of the all-women's school, in mock-consternation, rain trash - including notes and course packets - and water balloons upon them from their dormitories above.  
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Though the performance doesn't begin until midnight, early arrival is recommended as students begin to file in and claim prime spaces in the room as early as 20 to 25 minutes ahead of time.
  
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The band ends their Orgo Night performances in front of [[Furnald|Furnald Hall]], formerly an all-Senior dormitory, where the seniors gather on the steps of the building and the underclassmen in the marching band serenade them with a singing of the college Alma Mater, [[School Songs#Alma Mater|Sans Souci]]. After finishing the song, the singers begin a spirited and entertaining, though vulgar, mock-version of the song, composed of quips that poke fun at the various stereotypes about the Columbia student body.
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== Performance timeline ==
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The Band begins by telling scripted campus-interest jokes and playing music. After half an hour, the procession moves out to [[Van Am Quad]] to entertain the residents of [[Hartley Hall|Hartley]], [[Wallach Hall|Wallach]], and [[John Jay Hall|John Jay]] residence halls. The Band then plays at various other locations around the [[Morningside Heights campus|campus]], including the courtyard of [[Wien]], [[President's House|President Bollinger's House]] (where, until recently when security began stopping them, they would ring the doorbell before playing), and the residential quadrangle of [[Barnard College]], where students of the all-women's school rain papers - including notes and course packets - and sometimes pornographic magazines upon them from their dormitory rooms above in mock exasperation.
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The Band ends their Orgo Night performances in front of [[Furnald|Furnald Hall]], formerly an all-senior dormitory, where the seniors gathering on the steps of the building are presented with bottles of champagne, and the underclassmen in the marching band serenade them with a singing of the college Alma Mater, [[School Songs#Sans Souci|Sans Souci]]. After finishing the song, the singers go through a series of entertaining, though vulgar, mock-versions of the song, composed of quips that poke fun at the various stereotypes about the Columbia student body.
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== Typical joke targets ==
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* [[Barnard College]]
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* [[Student government]]
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* Famous or infamous students
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* NY and national politicians
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* Naughty-sounding but innocuous chemistry concepts
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* [[NYU]]
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* Awkward [[SEAS]] students
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* [[PrezBo]]
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* The university's [[Improve Columbia|neglect]] of undergrads
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* Sex, especially [[Conversio Virium|S&M]]
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== History ==
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[[File:Gaza strip.jpg|thumb|The 2012 flier that offended dozens]]
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The history of Orgo Night is somewhat shrouded in mystery. It's believed that the first show was held as a spontaneous prank, perhaps in the 1960s.
 +
 
 +
===Security Concerns 2000-2001===
 +
The Spring 2000 Orgo Night attracted over 1,000 attendants, possibly driven by a rumor that alcohol was being served by the band. The rumor also reached the administration which decided to beef up security. As such, the extra administrators got to witness students standing on every possible surface in and outside of the main reading room. As a result, the event was capped with a 200 person limit in the room, followed by a second performance on the Low Steps or Van Am Quad for a few years. Of course, things couldn't be left at that - at the first Orgo Night following the overcrowded Spring 2000 affair, an unknown person pulled the fire alarm. Stay classy, Columbia.
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===2012 Scolding===
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In [[2012]] the Marching Band got publicly scolded by [[Kevin Shollenberger]] for their Orgo Night promo flyers that made politically incorrect puns involving the Gaza Strip and an image of a stripper. The small scandal led to student [[protests]] of Orgo Night, and assorted counter-protests. Although the Marching Band apologized, most people agreed that it wasn't that big of a deal.<ref>http://bwog.com/2012/12/13/administrators-scold-the-band/</ref>.
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===2019 and 2020 Cancellation===
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In the Winter of [[2019]], CUMB cancelled Orgo Night in recognition of general campus tumult over the [[Tess Majors]] murder.
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 +
In the Spring of [[2020]], CUMB Orgo Night was again not held due to the [[COVID-19 Pandemic]].
 +
 
 +
After the band's dissolution in the fall semester of [[2020]], it became increasingly unlikely that Orgo Night would ever be held again. 
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==References==
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<references/>
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
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* This article is largely based on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_University Wikipedia's article on Columbia University]
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* [[Bwog]] posts about Orgo Night
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* [http://www.cumb.org/scripts.php Marching Band Scripts]
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:* [http://bwog.com/2006/05/05/band-geeks-storm-butler/ Spring 2006]
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:* [http://bwog.com/2006/12/14/orgo-night-06-ii/ Fall 2006]
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:* [http://www.bwog.net/articles/orgo_night_07_ii Fall 2007]
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:* [http://bwog.com/2008/05/08/orgo-night/ Spring 2008]
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:* [http://www.bwog.net/articles/orgo_night_fall_08 Fall 2008]
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:* [http://www.bwog.net/articles/the_69th_semiannual_orgo_night Spring 2009]
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:* [http://bwog.com/2009/12/17/orgo-night-3/ Fall 2009]
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:* [http://bwog.com/2010/05/07/orgo-night-review-original-night/ Spring 2010]
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:* [http://bwog.com/2010/12/16/orgo-night-this-one-was-too-easy/ Fall 2010]
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:* [http://bwog.com/2011/05/06/orgo-night-review-republicans-watermelons-and-your-childhood/ Spring 2011]
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:* [http://bwog.com/2011/12/16/pics-from-last-nights-semi-annual-fire-hazard/ Fall 2011] and [http://bwog.com/2011/12/17/orgo-night-2012/ review]
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:* [http://bwog.com/2012/05/04/orgo-night-recap/ Spring 2012]
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:* [http://bwog.com/2012/12/14/orgo-night-our-roundup/ Fall 2012] plus [http://bwog.com/2012/12/13/watch-orgo-night-live/ protests] and [http://bwog.com/2012/12/15/reactions-to-orgo-night/ reactions]
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:* [http://bwog.com/2013/05/11/night-of-the-living-orgo-spring-2013/ Spring 2013]
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* Orgo Night videos from the [http://www.youtube.com/thecumb/ CUMB's Youtube]
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:* [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL718DE8E3D45B4447 Fall 2008]
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:* [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6D09A18E927947FA Spring 2009]
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:* [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD05CD9841B6E1C27 Spring 2010]
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:* [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL759530FC0BBD53A9 Spring 2011]
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:* [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL99135117F1F24BDF Fall 2011]
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:* [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTJ6YSxJwv7D09s4kBbcnPN3komOz5DSm Fall 2012]
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:* [http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTJ6YSxJwv7Ci_bGkfoduV6FWAnRzPz-K Spring 2013]
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* Orgo night scripts from 2011 on [http://cumb.tumblr.com/tagged/orgo are on the CUMBlog]
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*[http://eyedev.columbiaspectator.com/2010/05/02/cumb-bands-together CUMB bands together], Columbia Spectator, 2 May 2010 Article on Script-writing
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*The 2000-2001 Security Issues
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:*[http://www.c250.columbia.edu/c250_perspectives/write_history/1062.html Orgo Night Y2K], C250 Perspectives - Alumni Submission
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:*[http://spc.columbiaspectatordev.com/2001/02/12/after-controversy-future-orgo-nights-are-doubt After Controversy, Future Orgo Nights Are in Doubt] Columbia Spectator, 12 February 2001
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:*[http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2001/02/20/orgo-night-and-revolution Orgo Night and Revolution], Columbia Spectator, 20 February 2001
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:*[http://www.columbiaspectator.com/2001/04/30/orgo-night-scaled-down-due-safety-concerns Orgo Night Scaled Down Due to Safety Concerns], Columbia Spectator, 30 April 2001
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:*[http://eyedev.columbiaspectator.com/2001/12/05/orgo-nights-butler-limit-will-continue Orgo Night's Butler Limit Will Continue], Columbia Spectator, 5 December 2001
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*[https://bwog.com/2019/12/orgo-night-is-cancelled/], 2019 Cancellation
  
 
[[Category:Traditions]]
 
[[Category:Traditions]]

Latest revision as of 13:44, 26 January 2021

Orgo Night, Fall 2010
The Drum Major leading the CUMB during Orgo Night

Orgo Night is held on the day before the Organic Chemistry ("Orgo") exam, which is always on the first day of finals. At precisely the stroke of midnight, the Columbia University Marching Band occupies Room 209 (the main reading room) of Butler Library to distract diligent students from studying - in fact, one of its legendary purposes is to lower the curve of the Orgo exam. Despite the commotion, at least some students attempt to study through the event.

Though the performance doesn't begin until midnight, early arrival is recommended as students begin to file in and claim prime spaces in the room as early as 20 to 25 minutes ahead of time.

Performance timeline

The Band begins by telling scripted campus-interest jokes and playing music. After half an hour, the procession moves out to Van Am Quad to entertain the residents of Hartley, Wallach, and John Jay residence halls. The Band then plays at various other locations around the campus, including the courtyard of Wien, President Bollinger's House (where, until recently when security began stopping them, they would ring the doorbell before playing), and the residential quadrangle of Barnard College, where students of the all-women's school rain papers - including notes and course packets - and sometimes pornographic magazines upon them from their dormitory rooms above in mock exasperation.

The Band ends their Orgo Night performances in front of Furnald Hall, formerly an all-senior dormitory, where the seniors gathering on the steps of the building are presented with bottles of champagne, and the underclassmen in the marching band serenade them with a singing of the college Alma Mater, Sans Souci. After finishing the song, the singers go through a series of entertaining, though vulgar, mock-versions of the song, composed of quips that poke fun at the various stereotypes about the Columbia student body.

Typical joke targets

History

The 2012 flier that offended dozens

The history of Orgo Night is somewhat shrouded in mystery. It's believed that the first show was held as a spontaneous prank, perhaps in the 1960s.

Security Concerns 2000-2001

The Spring 2000 Orgo Night attracted over 1,000 attendants, possibly driven by a rumor that alcohol was being served by the band. The rumor also reached the administration which decided to beef up security. As such, the extra administrators got to witness students standing on every possible surface in and outside of the main reading room. As a result, the event was capped with a 200 person limit in the room, followed by a second performance on the Low Steps or Van Am Quad for a few years. Of course, things couldn't be left at that - at the first Orgo Night following the overcrowded Spring 2000 affair, an unknown person pulled the fire alarm. Stay classy, Columbia.

2012 Scolding

In 2012 the Marching Band got publicly scolded by Kevin Shollenberger for their Orgo Night promo flyers that made politically incorrect puns involving the Gaza Strip and an image of a stripper. The small scandal led to student protests of Orgo Night, and assorted counter-protests. Although the Marching Band apologized, most people agreed that it wasn't that big of a deal.[1].

2019 and 2020 Cancellation

In the Winter of 2019, CUMB cancelled Orgo Night in recognition of general campus tumult over the Tess Majors murder.

In the Spring of 2020, CUMB Orgo Night was again not held due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

After the band's dissolution in the fall semester of 2020, it became increasingly unlikely that Orgo Night would ever be held again.


References

  1. ↑ http://bwog.com/2012/12/13/administrators-scold-the-band/

External links

  • Bwog posts about Orgo Night
  • [1], 2019 Cancellation
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