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Bonfire Safety Plan

Dartmouth's annual Homecoming weekend kicks off with Dartmouth Night, which features a parade and bonfire on Friday night. Bonfire is a special tradition where the greater Dartmouth community, especially alumni, welcome first-year students and cheer them on as they complete a loop around the bonfire.

In collaboration with the Town of Hanover, Dartmouth has developed a safety plan for the bonfire to ensure the event remains safe and accessible for all. 

Highlights and Expectations for First-Year Students

  • First-years will walk one loop around the bonfire as part of your "sweep" from your spirit stations, which are grouped by house community, to the Green. 
  • You will receive more information from your UGA or Class Council on your spirit station location and gathering time.
  • Students are expected to follow the directions of sweep leaders and follow the designated route. There is no access to campus buildings along the route. 
  • Students who attempt to touch the fire—a very serious safety concern—will face disciplinary action. In recent years, this action has included suspension for as many as three terms.
  • If a student enters the inner ring of the bonfire, members of the Hanover Fire Department will extinguish the fire.

Highlights and Expectations for All Students and Spectators

  • Spectators, including all students other than first-years, must remain outside the barriers that designate the area for the loop. 
  • Cheer on the first-year students in positive and respectful ways as they make their loop.
  • Remember to look out for others, and review the Good Samaritan policy. See these additional resources to report a concern.
  • For immediate help, call 911, the Department of Safety and Security at (603) 646-4000. If you or a community member need assistance, or if you observe suspicious or unsafe activity, Safety and Security is on hand to help. To assist with safety concerns, they can provide a guided escort to on-campus locations from 9 p.m to 4 a.m. Dartmouth EMS and other public safety agencies will be on hand to assist if needed.

Thank you for honoring Dartmouth's commitment to safety and our desire to preserve the spirit of Homecoming by supporting each other, asking for help when you need it, and participating in this weekend's events responsibly. We appreciate your cooperation in making the bonfire an enjoyable, safe, and successful experience for all.

For more information about Homecoming, check out the schedule of events.