This Week in Vanderbilt History

This Week
In Vanderbilt History...

Drawing freshmen into the passion and drama of academic life, Vanderbilt faculty held an annual event called the Raft Debate during fall orientation for more than 20 years. In the late 1960s, John Lachs, Centennial Professor of Philosophy and senior fellow at VIPPS, adopted the tradition of the raft debate from Oxford University to demonstrate the importance of various disciplines and schools on campus. The scenario "stranded" five professors on stage who competed for the lone one-person raft. The professor who best defended his or her field would "survive," and the rest would remain stranded. The event originally took place during the semester, but later became part of orientation week.

Source: John Lachs, professor of philosophy
Vanderbilt Register, Sept. 4, 1980
-- Alyson Fant