New policy changes SMC dance transport
By MYRA McGRIFF
Saint Mary's Editor
Saint Mary's students traveling to the all school formal this Saturday will have to do so by campus-sponsored transportation, according to a new policy drafted by Saint Mary's administrators.
The policy, which states that students must ride on campus transportation to and from off-campus dances, was first enacted last spring for the senior formal. In fall 2000, the policy was applied to any campus group sponsoring a dance — including Saint Mary's Residence Hall Association, which hosts the all school formal. The dance, which has traditionally had attendance of 1,000 students, fell under the policy. This weekend will be the first time the event is held under the umbrella of the policy.
Organizers said this week that ticket sales fell as a result.
"Ticket sales definitely fell in the junior and senior classes," said co-chairwoman Janel Miller. "It is disappointing that we couldn't sell more tickets."
The policy, drafted by administrators in an effort to control drunk driving during off campus, college sponsored events has made planning a dance quite a challenge for the Formal Committee. Considering that last year's formal tickets sold out, this year's dance committee wanted to accommodate at least 2,000 students. Finding out in early fall that all students would have to take a bus to and from the dance caused a major problem for organizers.
As of Thursday night, the committee reported sales of only 750 tickets — 1,250 shy of selling out.
"It has been a challenge. We booked a room for 2,000 people but it's difficult to figure out how to get people there," said Mindy Rennaker, president of Residence Hall Association.
Students attending the formal this weekend signed up for a specific bus as they bought their ticket. Buses will be leaving from each residence halls at staggered times. Holy Cross, McCandless and Regina have buses leaving each half-hour, while LeMans buses will leave every 15 minutes.
Although the committee was able to sell 750 tickets in spite of the new policy challenge, they did say they thought more tickets could have been sold. The bus policy certainly played a factor in low ticket sales, said all-school formal committee members.
Furthermore, minimal cooperation from administrators made the planning process for the buses difficult to enact.
The official policy was not received from vice president for student affairs Linda Timm until the Friday before Spring Break, organizers said. The policy was left for students — not administrators — to figure out, said Rennaker.
"The policy isn't clearly defined," she said.
Some members of the organization feel that the policy is worth the effort because it will insure safety while still having an event off campus.
"It's definitely a good idea that people who may have been drinking will not be driving to the dance. It may not be the most convenient, but it is practical and a safer way for people to get there," said sophomore RHA member Adrienne Dorbish.
Amy Green contributed to this report.
All News Stories for Friday, March 23, 2001
