ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell University experts predict that the 103rd dragon spawned on campus will emerge from its lair Thursday, March 18, and they have issued a dragon warning and road-closure alert.

Vehicular access to central campus will be restricted from 12:30 to approximately 3:30 p.m. Buses could be rerouted or delayed when the dragon emerges from its lair in Rand Hall at approximately 1 p.m. The dragon will travel east on University Avenue, then south on East Avenue, then west on Campus Road. It will lumber through Ho Plaza and enter the Arts Quad, between Uris and Olin libraries, before proceeding to the south side of Rand Hall.

Dragon Day is one of Cornell's oldest traditions. First-year students in the College of Architecture, Art and Planning build and parade a dragon through campus to coincide with the beginning of spring. Rainy or cold weather will not deter a determined dragon.

Cornell Police and Environmental Health and Safety officials urge members of the campus community to enjoy Dragon Day in a safe fashion. Participants are asked not to engage in behavior that might result in injury to themselves or others.

A map of the planned route can be seen at http://www.aff.cornell.edu/maps/dragonday.gif For the latest information, see http://www.cornell.edu/SpecialConditions/ .