Harrison House Residents, Alumni, University of New Brunswick Students, and Others,

It has recently come to our attention that UNB Residence Life Coordinators are attempting to make drastic, abrupt, and significant changes to the Harrison House Great Pumpkin Sacrifice, including eliminating the procession to Joy Kidd and return to Harrison, and throwing the pumpkin off the roof Harrison House itself. Res Life has stated that this is partially due to construction on campus (but not on Harrison itself) as well as additional safety concerns, all of which have been present since the day PSAC started. 

There is a real and growing concern that Res Life is using these excuses to completely change the event not just for this year but for future years as well. They have been acting in bad faith with the current Loyal Guardians in the usual planning of the ceremony and have delayed certain aspects of the planning of the ceremony under their control to a point where it might be impossible to hold the ceremony this year in the way that has been tradition for 50 years.

To anyone that has lived in Harrison in the past, we know exactly how important this event is for bringing new, returning and former Harrisonians together in a way that nothing else can. To anyone that has witnessed the event on campus, the intrigue and experience of watching the procession and ceremony is a spectacle like none other. To anyone that has been part of any kind residence event at UNB or otherwise, you know how these events bring the house together as a bonding experience.

This petition is to demonstrate the backing of Harrison residents, alumni, and the greater UNB campus community that these demands from Res Life completely change the experience and intent of the Great Pumpkin Sacrifice and find it unacceptable that they are trying to force these changes in a way that undermines trust and faith for future years ahead.

Sincerely,

Harrison House Loyal Guardians 1973-2022