Bonfire depends on both winning and planning

During the 90s, many Princeton traditions became things of the past. The Nude Olympics, an annual event commemorating the coming onslaught of winter, was banned by the administration several years ago. The theft of Nassau Hall's bell clapper was discontinued in 1992 after a student fell more than three stories trying to steal it. Completing the trilogy of vanquished traditions is the Bonfire on Cannon Green which is celebrated when Princeton football claims victory over Yale and Harvard in a single season. Unlike the Nude Olympics and the stealing of the bell clapper, the Bonfire on Cannon Green has not been prevented by the University, but by a new pseudo-tradition: our football team's inability to defeat both Harvard and Yale in a season.

But this past weekend, we beat the Crimson on the gridiron for the first time since 1995. A win over the Elis (knock on wood) on Nov. 12 would seal the deal and bring back a celebratory bonfire to Princeton's campus for the first time in 11 years.

Or would it? On the surface, at least, there has been little talk about what preparations would be needed so that students would be allowed to hold a bonfire. The administration has shown itself willing to end traditions when they jeopardize the safety of students. It would not be surprising, then, if it expressed reservations about permitting a giant conflagration with students dancing all around to be assembled on Cannon Green. And even if the administration had no objections, it is unlikely that it would arrange for truckloads of lumber and a team of fire experts to create an inferno worthy of the celebration that might call for it.

Thus it is up to us students, and in particular our elected representatives in the University community, to actively prove to the administration that we can handle this tradition responsibly.

While the football team's claim to fame may be losing the first college football match ever to be held (to Rutgers by a score of 6-4), preparations must be made for the possibility that we will, in fact, beat Yale (knock on wood). We call on the University administration, the USG, and other relevant entities to begin holding discussions as soon as possible concerning the issues that surround the Bonfire. That way, should the football team earn us the privilege, we can bask in the warmth of our satisfaction ... and of the fire burning brightly on Cannon Green.