The Cayuga’s Waiters was founded in 1949 as an offshoot of the Glee Club. For nearly 70 years, the Waiters entertained audiences at Cornell and beyond. The group appeared on “The Perry Como Show,” performed at Carnegie Hall and sang the national anthem at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The “Pitch Perfect” movies—a trilogy about competitive a cappella groups—wouldn’t exist without the Waiters. (The movies are based on a book by Mickey Rapkin ’00, who sang in the Waiters.) 

Most importantly, this group was a surrogate family for generations of students who came to Ithaca to study but also found community in a rehearsal room in Lincoln Hall. 

Sadly, in 2017 a hazing investigation revealed that a pattern of irresponsible behavior had emerged in the group. The findings were disturbing and warranted disciplinary actions. However, our alumni, along with the thousands of Waiters fans, remain shocked that the consequence was a lifetime ban on the organization. 

 

The Case for Reinstatement

1) The Ruling against the Waiters Was Excessive 

The disbanding of the Waiters was the first time since 2011 that a student organization was similarly punished. In that case, SAE Fraternity’s Cornell Charter was revoked due to the hazing-related death of a student. Despite the far more serious circumstances, SAE was invited to apply for reinstatement in 5 years and was welcomed back to campus in 2021. Five other Greek organizations and one varsity team were also disciplined for hazing around the same time as the Waiters, with none disbanded. 

In fact, at first the ruling against the Waiters was less severe. However, for reasons still unclear, a senior administrator argued that the University Hearing Board's verdict didn't go far enough and appealed to the University Review Board. No new arguments were heard at this second hearing. No new evidence was introduced. No one from the Waiters was permitted to be present. We believe that this process lacked the transparency for thoughtful decision-making and believe the outcome was incorrect.

2) Reinstatement Would be Widely Embraced

Through the decades, tens of thousands of current Cornell alumni enthusiastically attended Cayuga’s Waiters performances. These included Orientation Week concerts, sold out shows at Bailey Hall, formals, and Alumni Club events around the US. For most alumni, the Waiters songs are the very soundtrack of their Cornell experience. Our songs helped students overcome homesickness, heartbreak, and anxiety. 

It is notable that video of the group’s anthemic “We Didn’t Go to Harvard” has amassed nearly 200,000 views on YouTube. This is four times the number views of the Glee Club’s Alma Mater. 

Additionally, the group represented something now rare on campuses. A Waiters show was a meeting place unburdened with ideology, politics, religion, nationality, or identity. Welcoming the Waiters back would be a constructive step at a time when the University community has fragmented.

  

3) Cornell Needs a Good News Story

Events over the last few years have shaken many alums’ connection to Cornell. Disputes over social justice issues, antisemitism, funding, and leadership have all rocked the University’s reputation. In fact, a Cornell classmate recently commented to me that it was ironic that “Cornell let Professor Russel Rickford return after celebrating the massacre of over 1200 civilians, but has yet to let the Waiters back on campus.” 

Restoring the Waiters would not only right a wrong, but it can be something around which the whole alumni community can rally. The news can be harnessed as a part of renewal, fundraising efforts, or other strategic milestones. A veritable army of Waiter alumni are ready to amplify a broader message celebrating Cornell’s legacy and its future. This will complement the array of exciting initiatives the University has launched to restore momentum. 

4) We Are Ready to Mobilize to Make this Success

Over 300 Waiter Alumni are prepared to support this effort. We will assemble an advisory board vetted by the University. We will create a Code of Conduct for the new group in accordance with university polices. We will collaborate to find a faculty advisor. We will help recruit a group of “re-founder” students, who would be selected with values top of mind. Importantly, we will mobilize to assemble the incredible intellectual property of the group: hundreds of musical arrangements, photos, videos, recordings, and memorabilia that is at risk of being lost. We will create a digital archive/repository to ensure sustained success for the reconstituted group. Finally, we will commit to funding the new group generously to make sure the group both sounds great and its culture is sound.