In keeping with the Fairfield tradition of 12 years now, the preparation for the 2015 Presidential Ball has begun. The Hollywood-themed event will take place on Friday, Oct. 2 on the Bellarmine Lawn, where students can expect a night of great music, photo opportunities with Father von Arx, S.J. and Lucas the Stag, finger foods and memories made with friends.
The theme for this year, Hollywood Walk of Fame, which was chosen to promote elegance and class, is concurrent with the event’s location. The Fairfield University Student Association’s Programming Board hopes that the theme, coupled with the scenic Bellarmine mansion, will encourage students to get excited about dressing up and attending the dance with their friends.
This year, FUSA Program Coordinator Colleen Wilson has piloted a new system for purchasing tickets. As opposed to tickets being sold at the Barone Campus Center Information Desk as in years prior, they are currently on sale online for $20. In the comfort of their dorm rooms, students can login to OrgSync and follow the link to purchase tickets for themselves and guests. Tickets were on sale via OrgSync exclusively until Sept. 27; after this time, students must purchase them at the FUSA office during select times.
This streamlined approach to sales gives students who live as far as the Townhouses and on and around Fairfield Beach more incentive to attend the event. When asked, some admit the distance may have thwarted them from buying a ticket and accidentally missing the deadline. “Coming from the Townhouses, I think it’s much easier and I’m less likely to put it off,”said Matthew Hofmann ‘17. Director of Traditional Events Patricia Masi ‘17 said that the switch to ticket sales online has been easier: “Doing the ticket sales online was a new process for us but so far it’s worked out well. We were able to keep track of everything much better.”
Juniors are not the only class affected by the new Prez Ball changes. “This year we are also engaging the senior class by providing shuttles from the beach to campus for the event,” Wilson said. The university is supplying a shuttle service to and from Lantern Point. The bus starts between 8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and the return bus starts again at 11 p.m. and runs until 12:30 a.m.
This shuttle service is one of the many ways Fairfield is promoting student safety during the event. Wilson said, “Our goal is to ensure students make safe and smart choices around alcohol use. Last year, one student needed medical attention which is [one] too many.”
The FUSA staff encourages the students who choose to drink to hydrate, eat before attending and to avoid hard liquor. Wilson remarks, “The night should be remembered and should not need an ambulance.”
There are pre-Prez Ball activities within the residential halls and there will be food trucks in front of the chapel following the dance. In addition, throughout the event various finger foods will be provided including: hot dogs, mac n’ cheese bites, sliders, popcorn, hot pretzels and cupcakes.
With the event just under a week away, students like Jameson Duncan ’18, are looking forward to, “being able to hang out with everyone on campus at once while having a great time listening to awesome music.”
Senior Felicia Staropoli shared her excitement about going to her last Prez Ball: “All I want is to take a picture with Father von Arx because he’s the coolest man alive. I’ve gotten a picture with him every year so it’s a tradition that I need to complete.”
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