Make place optional

since we're not graded on this we should make it an optional thing to include in the xml.

merge #2 and #3 before this.

i think we should get a bit of consensus on this, so @vineetkeshari @eddie5 @zlozano @tcannon91 and @UTAustin please indicate if you're ok by commenting on this pull request. once we've got everybody's stamp of approval we'll merge it.