While it is true that the Goat's Head returned to the campus in a manner that I was not at all expecting (to say the least), I am encouraged by what has been done with it since it has been returned. Key representatives from the Class of 1996 (some of which are members of either SAS or Skull or both) have put a great deal of effort and thought into how they would revive the tradition, steal the goat, and draft rules regarding issues which may come up in the process of the rivalry. More impressive were the complicated and well designed clues and scavenger hunts which have taken place in the past few weeks, requiring treasure hunters to delve deep into often forgotten and overlooked places in WPI history. This enthusiasm for WPI tradition and history, coupled with class bonding and intra-class rivalry that comes with it is the raison d'etre of the Goat's Head tradition. The history of WPI is a rich and colorful pageant of personalities and discoveries which have changed the face of not only Worcester but the world. If conducted with that purpose in mind, the Goat's Head rivalry will keep that history alive and students will realize they are having fun in the process.
However, nothing of value comes without a cost. While I understand and forgive the actions of those in the Class of 1996 who "outsmarted" me to get the Goat's Head, I still think they went a bit overboard. I liken it to grabbing the football from the ref and running down the field for a touchdown before any of the defense were ready. I learned that they had made plans for a car to follow us to the foundry, they called me at home to verify where I lived, staked out my house, and took and inscribed the old Goat's Head. It is true that any and all of these actions, taken out of context, would qualify as violating some rules. But I take exception to the notion that seems to be going around that any of the students involved in the taking of the Goat were given special consideration and/or not prosecuted because of who they are or any connection they may have to one club or the other. When the dust had settled and everyone had calmed down it was clear that, taken in the proper context, the students were simply excited about having the Goat's Head back. Surely, the excitement and enthusiasm on the part of the students for this rivalry did much to justify some of the personal humiliation I had to endure. That is not to say that anything goes with this rivalry. The bottom line was that no property was damaged and no one was injured. More importantly, the representatives of the Class of 1996 seemed intent on the finalization of the rules and were committed to responsibly managing this rivalry. They did push the edge of the envelope, but the decision not to pursue judicial or legal channels was one I feel comfortable with in retrospect.
Finally, while the rivalry is open to everyone by tradition, there have been concerns voiced by students in various classes that they have been excluded from direct involvement in decisions surrounding the rivalry. The most recent article took unjustified shots at SAS and Skull in particular. While it is true that those involved with the Student Alumni Society have been directly connected to the return of this Goat's Head tradition, and therefore may seem to have an advantage over other students who are less knowledgeable, I believe it is unfair to cry foul and unjustified to claim exclusive privilege. Granted, the clandestine measures involved in keeping this Goat's Head out of the hands of enemy classes may be perceived as limiting the tradition to certain members of the class. But whereas there is only one Goat and many hundred people in any given class, not everyone in the class will necessarily be able to fulfill their individual plans for this Goat's Head. On the other hand, it is an important factor in the rivalry that the classes must work together as teams. The rivalry was not designed to foster dissension and erode morale, but to increase cooperation and enthusiasm for an event which really belongs to the students. If there are any specific incidents in which students are excluded from involvement in this rivalry by other students, those parties should come forward and express their complaints to the Goat's Head Committee. If this becomes a problem, the committee has the power to amend and enforce the rules which are couched in strong, fair language and are designed to foster safety and equality in the way this rivalry is carried out. But the fact that there is only one Goat and many others who wish to possess it seems to make an ideal democracy impossible. WPI students are urged to remember honor, fairness and safety in this rivalry as in anything else they do here. I have every confidence that those I have worked with thus far while working on this project understand that the Goat's Head does not belong to them but to every student as a whole and any class which has the talent and the acumen to steal it.
Christopher Boffoli
Director Young Alumni Programs
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