MIT students drop piano from roof in annual ritual

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) -- Residents of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology dorm are marking the last day students can drop classes by dropping an upright piano from their roof.

The quirky tradition dates back to 1972 and was observed sporadically until 2006 when it became an annual event.

The piano will be rolled from a ramp rigged at the roof of the Baker House dorm on Thursday at 5 p.m., the deadline for students to drop classes without having them appear on the transcript.

The students drop broken pianos donated by people eager to get someone to pick up an unwanted instrument for free.

Organizers say no piano has ever fallen on anyone's head. Organizers work with MIT's security and emergency management office to ensure everyone remains safe during the piano drop.