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The Dartmouth
March 28, 2024 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Students engage in illegal activities

10.26.12.mirror.touchthefire
10.26.12.mirror.touchthefire

Friday night of Homecoming weekend arrived sooner than he expected, but his decision never wavered. After 31 laps, Duckles knew it was time. He might not make it out of the circle of spectators without getting arrested, but that didn't matter to him. He ran toward the fire, dodged policemen and Safety and Security officers and placed his hand on a burning piece of wood for a split-second before he was tackled to the ground.

"At least nobody could say that we were the worst class ever," Duckles said.

Dartmouth has a long history of illegal Homecoming traditions, including touching the fire and rushing the field, which occur just one day apart but vary tremendously in their degrees of illegality and chance of personal injury.

The first Dartmouth bonfire happened informally in 1888, when students built an impromptu fire to celebrate a baseball victory over Manchester College. The first organized bonfire took place in 1893 in celebration of a football victory over Amherst College.

Homecoming has evolved over the years, but it has always centered on promoting long-held traditions, forging freshman class spirit and celebrating Dartmouth's history, according to alumni. This year, the Class of 2016 will run around the bonfire up to 116 times while upperclassmen, alumni and Hanover residents observe.

The infamous illegal tradition of touching the fire, though central to the Homecoming celebration, is also cause for security and medical concerns. Most years, at least one student tries to break through the inner circle of Safety and Security officers and touch the flames, according to Assistant Director of Safety and Security Keiselim Montas.

One member of the Class of 2015 who wished to remain anonymous due to the nature of his illegal activity said that he was able to touch the fire without getting caught because he waited for somebody else to distract Safety and Security first.

"I managed to touch a piece of wood with the wind blowing in the opposite direction, so I wasn't hurt," he said. "Someone tried to tackle me and I kind of bounced off of him. I then lost myself in the freshman mob and just kept running."

Some of those who attempt to touch the fire do get seriously hurt, however. In 2008, a freshman who wished to remain anonymous unintentionally fell into the fire, charring his hands and melting his T-shirt onto his skin. As a result, he had to go to a Boston burn center for treatment.

"The first doctor that saw me told me that they might have to amputate both of my hands," he said. "Thankfully, I was lucky. I ended up healing just fine, but I won't recommend other people test their luck to that extent."

Montas agreed that touching the fire is an extremely dangerous act that should be avoided.

"If I had a lighter in my hand and told you to touch it, would you?" he said. "Of course not! If this is true, then why would anyone touch a gigantic burning fire?"

Students who choose to touch the fire also face the possibility of arrest. Depending on the circumstance, a student can be charged with disorderly conduct by the Hanover Police and face disciplinary action from the College, according to Montas.

Duckles said he wants the Class of 2016 to be aware of the rewards and consequences of touching the fire.

"It's hysterical, it's fun and it upholds tradition, but it's important to note the risks involved," Duckles said. "Any '16 who is stupid enough to do it, though, should definitely take the risk."

On Saturday, the Dartmouth field hockey, soccer and football teams will host home games that are a popular draw for students and alumni. At halftime during the football game, freshmen traditionally wait in the front rows of the bleachers as the crowd begins to chant, "Rush the field! Rush the field!" Freddie Fletcher '14 said.

Zero members of the Class of 2013 rushed the field. Fearful of Dartmouth losing an important tradition, five members of the Class of 2014 made plans to run onto the football field at halftime during a football game against Harvard University and steal a sign held by a member of the Harvard marching band, according to Fletcher.

"After the prompting by the crowd, the five of us ran toward the band, took the sign and ran in different directions," he said. "Safety and Security got close to us a couple of times but didn't give us any trouble after we dropped Harvard's sign."

Though a student was later arrested for stealing the same Harvard sign in the third quarter, none of the students were penalized for rushing the field, according to Sebastian DeLuca '14, another student who rushed the field.

"We wanted to pick up the torch where it was dropped by the '13s," he said. "I think we succeeded. Dartmouth to me is about moments that last a lifetime. That moment, when we rushed the field, I will never forget."

The following year, the Class of 2015 took rushing the field to a new level. Led by their Class Council President Emmanuel Kim '15, several dozen students rushed the field during the Columbia marching band's halftime show and, to the students' surprise, neither the Hanover Police nor Safety and Security made an effort to stop them.

Safety and Security has actually invited the freshman class to come onto the field during halftime for the past several years, according to Montas.

"The only time we will take action is if a student does something that will cause a penalty for the home team," Montas said. "Our job is to make sure that everyone has a good time and that Dartmouth wins the game."

Pranam Chatterjee '15, a student who rushed the field, said that it is now time for the Class of 2016 to continue the tradition.

"Homecoming is about getting involved in Dartmouth's traditions, and now it's your job to continue that," he said. "But beware of touching the fire. It will get you respect but the potential of injury and arrest may not be worth it."

Ashton Slatev '15, who also rushed the field last year, agreed that freshmen should attempt to rush the field during the football game.

"Don't be the worst class ever, '16s," he said. "I can't speak for touching the fire, but rushing the field is definitely worth it if there are enough of you. It is something of a trophy that you will always have."