Palfrey says that, in particular, the traditions of burning boats and praying to the river gods was “excessively celebratory.”

But administrators say they do not want to stifle the enthusiasm of students in their crackdowns.

As an alternative to River Run, the First Year Social Committee hosted a black light party in Annenberg, which included shirt decorating and a live DJ, according to an email from Dingman to the freshman class.

Changala adds that Dunster offered alternatives to River Run on the night before Housing Day.

“We do encourage them to come to the House the night before and meet people, but our House Masters are very keen on keeping people safe,” she says.

Palfrey also says he hopes that Housing Day can be a positive celebration for the community.

“Housing Day should be one of the great annual celebrations,” he says. “We should continue to enable it to continue being students’ favorite day.”

—Nathalie R. Miraval contributed to the reporting of this article.

—Staff writer Eliza M. Nguyen can be reached at enguyen@college.harvard.edu.