Why does Reunion cost so much?

On Friday, the Association of Yale Alumni (AYA) sent out an e-mail from the Reunion Chairs telling you that Reunion registration was open. On Monday, Yale's Development Office sent out an e-mail from the Reunion Gift Chairs asking you to contribute to our Class gift.

People have already started calling around and emailing and we're already at over xxx classmates scheduled to attend. The buzz is that folks are excited and looking forward to reconnecting. Naturally, people have asked a few important questions -- what will we be doing, how's the food going to be, how many people will be coming, does it need to cost so much? We thought we'd address these here:

Reunions are always action packed -- from lectures throughout the campus with noted professors, to community service opportunities designed for individuals and families, to interesting, relevant panels led by classmates, to meals spent under the tent with friends (old and new), just catching up. You can read all about what is planned here.

• We will have terrific meals. The folks at Yale Dining Services have really kicked things up a notch, or ten. The food we have tasted to put together the menus is terrific. And, there will be something there for everyone.
• There will be a huge tent that will accommodate our huge crowd . . . we plan to have more than 1,000 people come for the weekend! We will have dancing under the tent both Friday and Saturday night and having a gala dinner in Commons on Saturday night.
   
• The price is just slightly higher than last year's 25th reunion and we are offering many more options than last year's reunion, e.g. using refillable water bottles to decrease our plastic waste, offering service opportunities for individuals and families, enhanced menu choices -- just to name a few.  

If you look at all of the diverse programming being offered throughout the weekend, we believe that this will be a special weekend for all who can make it.

That said, we know that the price may make it difficult for some of you to attend. That's why we have FINANCIAL AID! You can contact Janet Capiello at the AYA. She is terrific. She can help those for whom the price is a burden. All financial aid discussions and decisions are strictly confidential and known only to the person asking and to AYA. Please call if you need it.