Author: Nicole Biton

It’s been almost four years since Passion Pit last performed at Barton Hall here in Ithaca. And while 2011 doesn’t feel so far away, that relatively short span of time has proven to be a formative one. Since 2011, Passion Pit has released two studio albums, Gossamer in 2012 and Kindred last spring, providing them with mainstream success that has solidified their place as indie music mainstays. As for Cornell, our campus culture has also seen its fair share of change.

Here are seven things Passion Pit missed at Cornell since their last visit:

 

1. East Ave. closed and reopened

The fifteen-month period during which East Avenue – like, THE main road on campus – was closed due to construction of Klarman Hall was a dark time for the Cornell community. Traffic became nightmarish, commutes became lengthier, and usually simple bus routes to class became unnecessarily complicated. What’s more, this construction was a hindrance to major campus events such as Dragon Day, Commencement, and Homecoming. The road fortunately reopened last spring, exempting Passion Pit from the humiliation of having to make a U-Turn halfway down the road with a TCAT barreling towards them.

 

2. We have a new president

And she’s a woman! It was announced this past spring that Elizabeth Garrett would take over as President of the University, a position previously held by President Skorton. President Garrett’s tenure marks the first time that a female has served as president here at Cornell—which is pretty historic, and also pretty cool.

 

3. Snapchat – and its bomb geotags – did not exist

It’s crazy to think that one of the most popular and ubiquitous forms of social media on campus today had barely been invented that short time ago. Yet over the last four years, sending pictures and videos to friends—especially those stamped with Cornell and Ithaca geotags—has become a favorite pastime for Cornell students. Long “snap streaks” have become preeminent indicators of best friendship, and appearances on campus story have become synonymous with achieving celebrity status. Expect the Cornell campus story to be flooded with video of Homecoming festivities. After all, if you don’t snap “Sleepyhead” to all your friends, did you even see Passion Pit perform live?

 

4. Selfie sticks were also not a thing

And the world was a better place for it. Because if selfie sticks were not a thing, then selfie sticks at concerts were also not a thing. And you know at least one kid is going to bring one in the concert to document the sweaty, claustrophobic crowd that defines the Cornell Homecoming concert.

 

5. There are fewer bars in Collegetown

The number of beloved Collegetown bars has diminished significantly in the last four years, much to the dismay of students and alumni. Though Dunbars, Level B, Loco and Rulloff’s have sustained the withering trend in the college bar scene, the disappearance of long-time hotspots—including The Royal Palm, which closed in 2012 after 71 years of service, and most recently, Pixel—has created a void in campus nightlife. RIP “Palm o’clock”; Fishbowl Wednesdays just doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.

 

6. Cornell has seen an increase in the number of food trucks…

It seems that what Cornell has lost in bars over the last four years, it has gained in food venues—mainly food trucks. The last few years have welcomed the arrival of three new food trucks, joining the ranks of longtime favorites Louie’s and The Hot Truck. Collegetown Crepes opened its doors last fall and quickly established itself as a popular nighttime destination, while That’s How I Roll–newly opened at the end of last semester–brought to campus arguably one of the greatest additions to the Cornell food scene: the sushirrito. If those weren’t enough, taco truck Dos Amigos opened for business early this school year, and has already made a name for itself amongst campus foodies. Why such businesses have proliferated is unclear, but their popularity testifies to an important fact: no matter how much campus culture changes, late-night drunk-eating will remain a Cornellian pastime.

 

7. …as well as in other campus dining options.

Food trucks have not been the only additions to campus cuisine. Recent additions to the Cornell Dining have included Café Jennie, known for its chocolate croissants and dope coffee, and Bus Stop Bagels, a CTB-wannabe that actually has a pretty great menu. Bagels + coffee + hungry/sleep-deprived college kids = a winning combo.

 

A lot can happen in four years; the changes that our school has withstood in that time is a testament to that. But one thing that hasn’t changed? The Cornell community’s enthusiasm for Passion Pit. Their legacy on campus has endured across an entire generation of Cornellians, and we can’t wait for them to return to the Barton Hall stage.