After being situated for more than a century at its current location, the Senior Fence is set to be relocated as early as next Wednesday to the Southwest corner of the Green, across from the Hanover Inn.
The fence, which currently consists of two parallel 105-foot railings along the west edge of the Green, will be transported and realigned into a perpendicular configuration on the southwest corner.
The new fence configuration is intended to protect weary grass and tree roots that have long suffered from soil that has been continually compacted by off-path traffic. The fence will be situated in such a way as to prevent pedestrians from using anything but established footpaths.
Associate Director of Facilities Planning and Dartmouth Chief Architect Jack Wilson said the project to salvage the southwest corner of the Green has been considered for several years now. One proposal called for extending the fence, but sufficient funds were not available for the effort. "Plus, it seemed gratuitous to extend the fence," Wilson said.
Instead, the current plan, which is being underwritten by the Class of 1956 at a cost of $20,000, will realign the fence into a more social L-shaped configuration while serving a critical ecological role in the southwest corner, according to Wilson.
Wilson hopes that by relocating the fence, not only will it serve a more meaningful purpose, but a once popular meeting place for seniors and undergraduates will arise in a more useful location. "We don't want students to think we're making arbitrary decisions," Wilson said. "I think by reconfiguring it, the Fence will once again become a strong tradition."
The history of the Senior Fence dates back to the early 19th century, when the College had the entire Green fenced in to prevent cow grazing and conflicts between students and the township. At the turn of the century, the original fence was razed. A small portion, however, was maintained as a gathering place for students.
Until World War II, only seniors were allowed to use the fence. In the 1930s, the College attempted to remove the fence, citing it no longer served a purpose. When alumni interceded, the College reversed its plan to demolish the fence, and allowed the Senior Class to establish a fund for its maintenance.
This past summer, the Student Assembly was asked to facilitate discussion on the prospect of relocating the fence. After extensive dialogue, students were overwhelmingly receptive to the idea of moving the fence. Summer Student Assembly President Julia Hildreth '05 explained, "everyone really liked the idea of giving [the fence] greater functionality."
However, there are some students who would prefer the fence remain untouched. Thomas Neeley, a first-year graduate student in the MALS program, thinks it's a question of the College being unnecessarily pragmatic. "They could easily build another fence and leave the tribute in place, out of respect."
The relocation process is scheduled for completion before Homecoming celebrations arrive on the Green.
