An Orange Fence party is returning to WC after a year hiatus in hopes of bringing liveliness to campus and allowing students to come together.
The event is an SGA/Student Affairs collaboration and will be on Tuesday, Oct. 30 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. in the quad.
It is BYOB and has a Halloween costume theme with the band Two Skinny Dorks performing.
IDs will be checked and any one over 21 will receive a wristband. Alcohol policies will be similar to Beach Bash with students over 21 allowed to bring in a maximum of 6 beers that will be checked at the door.
Jared Halter, Director of Student Activities, said, "Drinking is part of the college experience and the Orange Fence party is a place for people to go and socialize and try to practice responsible drinking behaviors and also be responsible for each other and take care of each other in that sense."
Kaitlin Wedge, Secretary of Social Life, said, "This is a big opportunity for the SGA and student body to show that we can handle an Orange Fence party on campus...if it goes well, I see us having more."
Event Staff, Public Safety officers and TIPS-trained students over 21 will be present to check ID and distribute alcohol.
As of Wednesday's press date, Halter was unsure if Student Affairs faculty will be present.
Halter said, "It's in the process of being worked out. Whether or not [Beth Anne Roy, Director of Student Development] or myself or Sarah Feyerherm [Associate Vice President of Student Affairs], or whoever needs to be there and if there is a need and trying to find that balance."
Wedge said, "I somehow doubt Dean Dutka will be inside the Fence. She has better things to do on a Tuesday night."
According to Wedge, SGA Exec Officers had received feedback from students before their meeting with Dean Dutka on October 10 complaining about the direction student life was heading.
"They [students] feel social life is slipping and heading off-campus or into dorms," said Wedge.
According to Halter, the rationale for Orange Fence is in response to this student feedback wanting an event to socialize with people 21 and older without concerns of 'being busted or getting citations.'
Wedge said, "This has been a direct and quick response after our [SGA Executive Board] meeting with Dean Dutka...working together on a project that the students would really enjoy."
"It'll be a really good place for students to come, dance, listen to live music, enjoy beverages or food with their friends and socialize across all ages and cliques...and will provide energy and buzz for what's to come on campus in terms of social life," said Halter.
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782