With Reunions expected to be held on campus for the first time since 2019, planning for the May 19-22 event has been especially challenging. Princeton staff were preparing for a crowd ranging from 22,000 to more than 30,000 people.
“We’ve done quite a bit of scenario planning to make sure that we have — to the degree that we can — created space for all who want to come back and feel this warm embrace from the University,” Alexandra Day ’02, deputy vice president for alumni engagement, said in mid-March.
A task force including Environmental Health and Safety, Grounds and Building Maintenance, and Public Safety was planning for housing, transportation, wristbands, tents, and other “budgetary and logistical pressure points,” said Day, in case the higher estimates panned out.
Two-fifths of the alumni body missed a major reunion during the pandemic, and many alumni have expressed a desire to celebrate belatedly. While the University announced that it would not “triple up” on Reunions this year, the sites for the 25th and 50th reunions have been expanded.
In March, the University updated its visitor policy to allow for optional masking on campus, though that policy could change again before Reunions. All attendees must register ahead of time and attest that they are up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations to obtain a wristband. Registration is not necessary for outdoor events where wristbands are not required. For more information, go to reunions.princeton.edu.