Speculation Unfolds Concerning Faculty Follies Assembly

Whether or not the biannual “Faculty Follies” assembly, an Academy tradition which takes place every other winter, will occur this term, has been the subject of growing speculation among students and faculty alike.

Until recently, most faculty members were under the impression that faculty follies would not be happening this year. According to English instructor Patricia Burke-Hickey, most assembly speakers are confirmed months in advance, and an abundance of bookings led to no space for the Faculty Follies assembly this winter term. English instructor Lundy Smith also said that faculty have had to attend so many other required meetings over the course of the year that little time remained to plan for something like Faculty Follies. “Coming off of last year, we have been focusing on many initiatives to improve student safety and our faculty's responsibility for protecting our students,” he said.

Senior Leila Connolly expressed displeasure with the overbooking that led to the omission of the special assembly. “That was poor planning,” she said.

Smith agreed, explaining that Faculty Follies is an entertaining event for both students and faculty. “Why shouldn't the faculty try to entertain the students?” he said. “I'm hoping we'll be back in full force next year, or the next.”

However, on Feb. 14, Dean of Students Melissa Mischke sent out an email concerning an urgent “Faculty Assessment Survey” for students to take during their Advising Meetings the next day. The “survey,” however, turned out to be a humorous Buzzfeed personality quiz called “Which PEA Teacher Are You?” Upon completion of the survey, students were told to go to the Agora to take a selfie with their faculty member, and to pick up a cookie along the way.

“When I heard there may not be a ‘traditional’ Faculty Follies this year, I felt motivated to do something that would bring together students and teachers in a fun and lighthearted way."

English Instructor Erica Lazure, who conceived the quiz, said it was a nod to both the numerous surveys students have participated in throughout this academic school year and to the fad among students of creating Buzzfeed quizzes. “When I heard there may not be a ‘traditional’ Faculty Follies this year, I felt motivated to do something that would bring together students and teachers in a fun and lighthearted way,” she said. “Because we've had so many surveys this year, I thought the "Faculty Assessment Survey" would be a perfect way to trick [students].”

Past Faculty Follies assemblies have included performances from Chemistry Instructor Sasha Alcott’s rock band “When Particles Collide,” and a mock death-metal band called Döömgrinder, comprised of English Instructors Duncan Holcomb and Todd Hearon, Science Instructor John Blackwell and Classics Instructor Nicholas Unger.

Since 2010, English Instructor Tyler Caldwell has played the lead role in coordinating the event. History Instructor Amy Schwartz and Language Instructor Fermin Perez-Andreu have also helped to direct the filming of each year’s accompanying video.

According to Caldwell, he was inspired to help organize the Faculty Follies assembly after his twin sister, History Instructor Alexa Caldwell, showed him a video that faculty at Asheville School made, called “The Evolution of Dance,” which showcased faculty dancing to music from different periods of history. With the help of faculty, including former Admissions Director Michael Gary and English Instructor Nathaniel Hawkins, Caldwell was able to put together Exeter’s own “Evolution of Dance” video in 2012. Caldwell then took over the main role of coordinating the Faculty Follies video in 2013.

Many teachers expressed fondness at their memories of Faculty Follies assemblies at Exeter. Assistant Principal Ronald Kim described one of his earliest experiences. “I recall performing in a legendary dance number in 2002 with my colleagues Cosgrove and Shapiro and retired teachers Hertig and Herney,” he said. “It was fun and a little terrifying.” He also commented on the planning and organizing, saying, “We work hard to keep it a secret [from the student body].”

Hawkins said the Faculty Follies assembly provided faculty with opportunities to open up to the student body. “[It was] good for us all to lighten up and laugh at ourselves,” he said.

Upper CJ Penn had a similar take on the assemblies. “The [Faculty] Follies videos are always just lighthearted and make the community happier and a bit closer,” he said.

Caldwell recounted one his most memorable experiences from years of filming Faculty Follies, remembering a time when much of the administration had participated in the video. “In 2013, I remember showing up to [Jeremiah Smith Hall] with a floor length fur coat, a scooter, and three slushies from 7/11 for [former Principal] Hassan, [Vice Principal] Kim and Dean Mischke,” he said. He also recalled how a blizzard hit campus during filming, so half the Faculty Follies clips were of a bare campus while half showed the campus under two feet of snow.

Though many students enjoyed the Buzzfeed quiz, others lamented the apparent loss of a traditional Faculty Follies assembly. Lower Mary Provencal-Fogarty took pleasure in the virtual Faculty Follies but sympathized with others who did not feel that it compensated for the loss of the Faculty Follies assembly. “It was a nice surprise, and it made my day a bit happier,” she said. “I do understand how some students would be upset to miss out on the expected Faculty Follies assembly. It definitely isn't the same thing.”

However, some teachers speculated that a Faculty Follies assembly may be held after all, or in the spring, instead. Smith explained that teachers approach the Faculty Follies assembly differently each year, making for an unpredictable event. “The planning is haphazard,” he said. “Some folks put in a lot of effort planning and practicing; others wing it.”