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Campus Life - Letters from Dartmouth CollegeHomecoming WeekendBy Yoko Kubo
Although traditions have varied slightly across the years, the custom of building a huge bonfire in the center of the Green has been maintained, and it is the undeniable focus of the weekend. In the past, the freshmen would build a structure with as many tiers as their class year (the year when they will graduate), but safety regulations now limit the number of tiers to 60, built so that it collapses in on itself. The freshmen decorate the structure with their names and a large wooden sign displaying their class year at the very top, giving it almost the appearance of a Christmas tree.
As with any large-scale event, trouble is inevitable. The police are a noticeable presence, and ambulances and fire engines are on standby in case anything goes wrong. One of the police's main jobs is to keep the freshmen from trying to touch the bonfire or from pulling some other equally crazy and usually alcohol-fueled stunt. This may seem like an absurd thing to do, but with pressure from screaming upperclassmen and the bewitching effects of a blazing fire, a little stupidity is not uncommon. In fact, "touching the bonfire" has become an integral part of the Homecoming tradition, along with "rushing the field" (running across the field) during the football match - despite being illegal by New Hampshire law after such incidents as in 1985 when the class of 1989 trampled an elderly lady in a wheelchair. It's true that there is something fascinating and enchanting about the Dartmouth bonfire. I remember looking up at the flames set against the snowy backdrop, feeling an almost eerie sense of tranquility despite the chaos raging around me. The immense heat from the fire produces a strange effect where half your face is burning while the other half is frozen, and there is a rain of ash that quickly covers you from head to toe. The rest of the weekend consists of other sports matches, concerts, class reunions and parties. To be honest, I am not an avid football fan (I still don't understand the sport) and am always too tired from the festivities to go and cheer on the home team. For me, Homecoming consists of the bonfire, and it is this that makes me understand why alumni return to Dartmouth to reunite year after year.
Shukan ST: Dec. 13, 2002 (C) All rights reserved |