This traditional event consisted
of sophomores
running naked in the snow. The
Board of Trustees voted early in
1999 to ban the event, citing safety
hazards. "It would be
irresponsible to permit any event
of this kind to continue."
Clearly, an unstated reason for
the ban was fear of university
liability if participating students
are injured or report sexual
harassment. There was also the
problem of university image,
particularly as perceived by wealthy
and influential alumni.
Ten students had required
treatment after the last event, mostly
for intoxication. There were reports
of female participants being
groped, and a few cases of snowy
love-making. Some students think
their classmates will defy the
ban. Others think the media
revelations of the dangers involved
are eye-opening, and that the
administration will suspend large
numbers of participants in the
future.