Students turned out in large numbers for Cornell University's annual Slope and celebrated the end of classes by dancing, singing and having loads of fun.
Slope Day is an annual day of celebration held at Cornell University during the last day of regular undergraduate classes. The tradition that goes back more than a century has moved and now takes place on the Thursday after the final day of classes. Students come together on the university campus to celebrate the event.
Originally dubbed as Spring Day, the tradition has come a long way over the years, but it has always remained a cheerful celebration of summer's arrival.
Thousands of students gathered Thursday, May 12 and danced to musical acts by Walk the Moon, Cash Cash and R. City. The slope was comparatively quite until R. City took the stage around noon. Students rushed up to the stage, as they danced and sang along. Although the smell of booze was in the air, students appeared to be partying cautiously.
Volunteers donning bright orange as well as paramedics were standing close by in case someone needed medical attention.
Dehydration and over consumption of alcohol are two of the biggest concerns for volunteers and emergency officials. In order to deal with such scenarios, water bottles and water stations were set up across the slope.
Bangs Ambulance and Paramedics from Cornell patrolled the slope and were quick to respond to medical problems, reports Ithacajournal.
Volunteers distributed breakfast sandwiches and fruits to students walking toward the slope. This was a new addition this year. The police scanner, on the other hand were busy with calls from all over the slope.
The event is organized by The Slope Day Programming Board (SDPB) that selects artists and ensures everything goes well during the event.
A team of about 800 people toil to make Slope Day a successful event, according to Ryan Lombardi, vice president for student life and campus affairs.
It was Lombardi's first Slope Day after been appointed to the position last summer. Slope Day is a day when students relax before finals, Lombardi said.
While Lombardi acknowledged Slope Day is for students to enjoy, he was equally concerned about their safety.
"Enjoy it, but please be safe," Lombardi said while roaming around to say "Hello" to volunteers and students.
Citing unsubstantiated threats Cornell received earlier this week, security was comparatively tighter this year. Cornell Police Chief Kathy Zoner assured there was no longer a threat, however Cornell police along with the FBI and state authorities are investigating the threats. Nature of the threats has not been divulged.
The threats against Cornell were made by an unidentified individual who used two different, third-party, non-Cornell websites for the purpose, but did not reveal a location or motive. Nevertheless, it was clear reference to cause harm, Zoner noted in a news release Monday.
