A winter carvinal will be added to Naked Quad Run

Students and faculty have joined to discuss changes in the Naked Quad Run (NQR) aimed at making the event safer, while still preserving its tradition.

The new plans are a result of weekly meetings, which have included Dean of Students Bruce Reitman, Judicial Affairs Officer Veronica Carter, and Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) Captain Mark Keith, together with TCU Senators, members of the Programming Board, and a few other students.

The result is a new NQR: the "Nighttime Quad Reception." This year, the program will present an array of different activities for students before and after the run itself. Plans include a live band, food, and giveaways, all for free, according to Senate Historian Jeff Katzin.

Katzin said that "the purpose of this event is to enhance the already existing tradition of the NQR by expanding the options students have throughout the entire evening."

Reitman echoed his sentiments saying, "The goal is not to disallow students from participating. The goal is to challenge the students to find a solution."

He also notes that this is not a matter of students versus the administration. "There are just as many students who are concerned with what happened last year as there are critics."

TCU President Chike Aguh is proud of what has come out of these meetings. "I think we have a very good idea as far as the Nighttime Reception. We are giving students another option that hasn't existed before."

Reitman said that the "students have to come up with the plan. There have been situations in the past where students have fixed it." He gave examples such as Spring Fling, Greek Jam, and the Pancake Breakfast.

Aguh also realizes the importance of an event like this to the Tufts community. "Something people always talk to me about is the lack of tradition here, even the alumni. Our goal was to preserve this tradition, because it's probably one of the biggest we have here, while increasing student welfare. Canceling the Naked Quad Run was never an option."

Both Keith and Reitman are concerned about the underage drinking and over-consumption of alcohol.

"While the University is willing to let it take place, we want to ensure that everyone knows that the same rules that are in effect every other day, including those about alcohol, will be in effect on the evening of the quad run," said Reitman.

"And also if we have another disastrous night I will no longer support students' ability to have this event," Reitman added.

One of the concerns the committee is addressing is the course layout. To mitigate this issue, the roads on which the run takes place will be heavily salted and sanded and barriers will be put up to direct students in a more organized manner.

There will also be a group of student volunteers who are there to offer assistance to students.

Senator Rafi Goldberg is organizing this aspect of the NQR. He is looking for "as many volunteers as he can get to act as the first line of defense in making people safe."

"They will be roaming West Hall and making sure that all emergency exits are open." In addition, Goldberg added that the patrols will monitor the course during the run.

The volunteers will undergo a training session with Director of Health Services Michelle Bowdler in order to understand signs of alcohol related problems.

The volunteer force will be made up entirely of students.

Additionally, EMT stations will be dispersed throughout the quad and its surrounding areas providing students with any medical help they may need. There will also be an ambulance on campus.

Concerning safety, Reitman noted that "one of the ironies is that students complain saying 'I pay $40,000 a year to come here, don't tell me what to do and that I can't take risks', but upon the death of Wendy Carman, who died in a fire off campus last year, they say, 'I pay $40,000 a year to come here, you're responsible for my safety.'"

West Hall is one of the major issues surrounding the run. Reitman said of West "Its safe occupancy is around 200, last year there were 500-600 present."

Keith said that "my biggest concern is West Hall and overcrowding." He said that TUPD is "attempting to draw people away from West. It has become the focal point of the event."

Additionally, having live music and food set up will serve to ease the burden on West Hall, which was dangerously filled last year.

The condition in which West Hall and the Academic Quad were left last year also disturbs the committee.

"We want to keep West Hall from being a mess at the end of the night. When it is left as a mess for the custodial staff to clean up like last year it reflects an arrogant and elitist attitude. That is an attitude that can't persist." Reitman said.

At the end of last year's NQR President Larry Bacow sent a letter addressing his concerns.

Reitman feels that "the letter has taken on a life of its own. It has become an inaccurate myth. In no way did it say never again."

He adds that at this point "The student community has to rise to the occasion to make the event something that can continue."

Sophomore Will Dunn, who has been involved in the planning meetings, said that, "Last year, Bacow wrote the run would not be able to continue in that form. I just hope that there aren't any students who would want it to. This group wants to improve the more dangerous, sinister aspects of the run."