By popular demand, the bonfire Thursday night will be held on Cannon Green, its traditional location, rather than on Alexander Beach, as originally announced.
The move comes in response to the "barrage of emails bemoaning the flight from tradition" that USG officers received when students "found out it was going to be on Alexander Beach," USG vice president Rob Biederman '08 said.
"Stuart Lange ['07], leader of the band, deserves the credit. He brought the issue up," informing the planning committee that "students are really not thrilled with Alexander Beach," Biederman said.
Originally, it was thought that having the bonfire on Cannon Green would mean either reducing its size or risking damage to the surrounding trees.
However, careful planning has allowed the bonfire to be moved back to Cannon Green, and it's "going to be virtually the same size" as it could have been on Alexander Beach, Biederman said.
After USG leaders informed University officials of student opinion at a meeting yesterday, University Services "remeasured [Monday] morning, and if they moved the center 10 or 15 feet southwest then the trees will not get burned," Biederman said.
The meeting led by Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students Thomas Dunne included representatives from University Services, such as electricians and carpenters, Public Safety officers and the Borough fire marshal. Members of the Athletics Department, the football team and USG leaders were also present.
"We were able to refine our plans and place the bonfire slightly south of the cannon. The tree canopy is tighter there and thus the bonfire will not damage the oldest trees surrounding Cannon Green. Also, we've been helped quite a bit by the rain this week, and the Cannon Green site drains much better than the grass on Alexander Beach," Dunne explained yesterday in an email.
The bonfire is still scheduled for 9 p.m. on Thursday. With rain in the forecast, Friday's 6 p.m. rain date may be necessary.
Biederman said he expects the blaze to be "most faithful to tradition."
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