For many students and alumni, Homecoming Weekend is the highlight of fall--three days of fun to make up for working the rest of the year.
However, three days of celebration for most students translates to three days of work for those in charge of keeping Dartmouth's students and grounds safe.
A special College committee prepares for the weekend months in advance, planning everything from the delivery of the lumber for the bonfire to the security at half-time of the football game.
Members of the Homecoming committee include Sgt. Mark Lancaster of Safety & Security and Holly Sateia, Dean of Student Life.
"Just about all of our force is on duty for Dartmouth Night.," Lancaster said. "There is also a large number of Hanover Police on hand."
Besides their presence at Dartmouth Night, Hanover Police are not involved in campus security any more than usual during Homecoming weekend.
They are, however, busy with the large crowds that frequent local businesses and restaurants during Homecoming.
"Homecoming is an event for the town of Hanover and not just Dartmouth itself," Lancaster said. "10,000 people usually come to see the bonfire."
Safety and Security is also planning security precautions for the football game. The preparations for keeping students in line at half-time are the same for Homecoming as for all other games. Safety and Security and Hanover Police will be on the field, guarding against any would-be '00 field-rushers.
Ken Jones, a member of the committee in charge of the bonfire, said, "we usually have four or five meetings, going over safety policies and procedures [for the bonfire]. Anything that we feel needs to be updated has been gone over, whether it relates to the sweep or the bonfire."
For the bonfire, the College is required to obtain a fire permit from the town of Hanover.
According to Jones, the bonfire, once lit, rarely poses any real threat to those in attendance or to the surrounding green and buildings.
"There is nothing out there that will burn other than the bonfire.," Jones said. "The green is just too short and too green [to catch fire]."
