It's Convocation time, and to celebrate, Columbia began by playing some warm-up music, including "525,600 Minutes," which is a song from the tragedy RENT and is also what we predicted to be the amount of time this thing would start late. Fortunately, we were mistaken, and at 2:35 PM, the OLs marched in with colorful flags from many countries to the tune of many majestic horns -- it was just like the Olympics, except no sports or competition. (We apologize for our thumb blocking your view of the top left corner of the photograph. There's nothing behind it except more of Lerner and the tops of some flags.)

Interim Dean of Student Affairs Kevin Shollenberger welcomed the class of 2012 and congratulated them for being a part of our "family." He talked a bit about alumni and how important they are (and then the 12s, and how diverse they are) before telling the the new students to stop by and have a cup of coffee with their adviser, all the time, just to chat. He then introduced Belinda Archibong, CC '10, who is the coordinator of NSOP.

After Barnard's Convocation, the OLs and RAs of BC led the 11s in a sing-a-long tribute to the musical stylings of Rihanna:

"When the sun shines we'll shine together

We will love Barnard forever

Columbia will always be our friend

Our partnership will go on till the end

2011 is better than ever

All the classes will stand together

You can stand under our umbrella

You can stand under our umbrella"

...ella, ella, ella, eh, eh!

After the umpteenth hour of lawn manicuring and tent set-up, 2:30 today saw the culmination of parent-related move-in events, Convocation. There were flags, smiles, "Pomp and Circumstance"-lite music piped-in over the loudspeaker, and quasi-poignant speeches from admins all around.

Flubs: Colombo called assembled matriculants "students and daughters," Quigley was interrupted by a crash from the third tent, Navratil sounded unrealistically eager when he mentioned Gateway, and PrezBo killed the mood when he mentioned the challenges of environmental destruction and cultural conflict.

But no matter! The banners are unfurled, the skies are blue, and OL sessions are beginning. Huzzah, huzzah

Two freshman boys, feet submerged in an inch of standing water on South Lawn:

"Sandals were a bad choice."

"Dude! That is SO the name of the next facebook group we're making!"