It's about time. The Capilano Students' Union (CSU), the Capilano Business Undergraduate Society (CBUS) and the Courier joined forces for the first time in recent memory to throw a righteous Halloween shindig at Seymour's Pub on October 28. Due to the strong organizing efforts of Daniela Hajdukovic, the newly elected Social Activities Coordinator for the CSU, and also Franceska Lavaggi, Vice-President of CBUS, the party sparkled. At least 125 tickets were sold – a definite improvement from the 40 who attended the Orientation Week's Seymour soiree. For as long as we can recall, Cap has been accused of being a stinking quagmire of cliques and self-interest, as most students seem happy to go about their days without even a gesture towards the larger Cap community. The Monster Mash party on October 28 may have changed all that.
“The dancefloor is, like, packed with hot business students ready to use their sexuality to climb the corporate ladder!” said Christine McClaren, as a group of corseted coquettes walked onto the dance floor. Despite the lack of scary and the abundance of sexy, the party brought together students from all areas of the school, lending credibility to the idea that, if building a community on campus is desired, it may have to come through the twitter and tittilation of tight tops, fake blood and stalwart axe-wielding sensibilities. Alcohol doesn't hurt either.
While the party did manage to become a sexy, ghoulish mixer, it shouldn't be seen as an exception. It should be the norm. Most other universities in this country have some form of support from the administration and are able to produce lively, exciting parties that are timed with important cultural rituals, like Halloween. At Carleton, the party called Kosmic became an international phenomenon, and David Letterman even mentioned it as being one of the best parties in North America. It was an all-night art party/rave, thrown by the Architecture students to fund their program. Even though it has been discontinued, due in part to the rave hysteria of the past decade, it had the support of the school and gave the students agency to determine their own values and activities. Here at Cap, we have nothing but ridiculous road blocks and questionable moralistic impositions.
For example, Cap does not allow an event to advertise any information pertaining to alcohol. In the past, students maneuvered around this with flyers that organized dodgy meetings in parking lots near party venues. It's a technical agenda that the administration adopted for students, emphasizing healthy activities and a 'dry' lifestyle due to an incident involving one isolated party a few years back. But just as teachers should not penalize an entire class based on the antics of one student, they should not be actively blocking students from living their lives as they see fit – even if alcohol is involved.
During Orientation Week, we included flyers for the first Seymour's party that included info about drink specials and the 25% permanent student discount. Security harassed us and censored the info, acting on the direction of Mark Clifford, Director of Contract Services and Capital Planning. Sorry, but this type of activity is draconian and unwelcome, and the administration should mind their business. And in case you don't know, that business does not include censorship of the students' consensually organized events and subsequent media expressions – ever. After all, we are not suggesting that Kokanee establishes a permanent sales booth in the cafeteria.
Let me revise my position: It should be noted that events with alcohol available can be promoted and attended – if that party is organized by the administration or for profit – like at the Performing Arts Theatre. Cap President Dr. Greg Lee has stated: “We do have a liquor license for special events.” Perhaps they should look up the definition of hypocrisy and let some smart prof explain it to them. The students at this school are adults, and the policies of the school should reflect the freedoms they are entitled to. Let the kids dance and cavort, I say, however they want to do it. Drunk, sober, covered in pus, dressed up like some naughty space-monkey, whatever. Remove the rule that prohibits advertising for alcohol. It just creates bad blood.
//Kevin Murray
Undead Wizard
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