Every year Le Moyne puts on a handful of exciting events that students live for, Dolphy Day being the biggest one of them, “the day” that students talk about for months in advance. But last Friday there was only one thing that captured the attention of campus, and that was the annual Halloween Dance.

According to Ann Bersani, the Associate Director of Campus Life and leadership, the Halloween Dance gives students the perfect opportunity to celebrate the holiday on campus with their friends, while also serving as a reminder that the end of the fall semester is fast approaching.

Every year the Le Moyne Student Programming Board [LSPB] puts on a festive dance that thousands of students attend. However, not many really understand what goes into putting on such a large event. They just show up, dance and then leave.

The Halloween Dance is organized by LSPB, who also covers its cost. Throughout the week leading up to the dance, club members take shifts selling tickets, while staff and faculty volunteer to work/chaperone the dance. Students can usually find Father. Bucki or Resident Chaplain Beth Scanlon smiling while they hand out food and water to students.

Last fall over 1,300 students attended the dance and, based on ticket sale Bersani said 1,500 students attended this year.

Senior Claire Woodburn, the co-chair of LSPB, was confident the dance would attract a big crowd like previous years. “The Halloween Dance is tradition,” said Woodburn. “I believe it will not lose its hype for quite some time to come.”

However, with such a big event there is always a little concern. In preparation, Student Development, CLL, Security, and the Health and Wellness Center teamed up to ensure the night would be an enjoyable, yet safe one. Prior to the dance, CLL and LSPB put out several media campaigns to reinforce responsible behavior. This year the Le Moyne community has also been promoting the idea of bystander intervention along with the saying, “Dolphins Don’t Let Dolphins Swim Alone,” which many believe are essential components of practicing safe fun.

Campus is known to get a little rowdy the night of the Halloween Dance, so Campus Security brought in extra security and EMS people to help assist students if needed. Along with staff being scattered throughout campus, they were placed in resident halls to monitor student activity and to make sure the right people got into the right places.

“We have a responsibility to pay attention to everything,” said John O’Brien, the Director of Security. “ And so we need to be extra vigilant on a day that so many people will be out and about.”

Although last Friday is technically “old news,” students are still reminiscing on last Friday’s event and probably will be doing so until the next big thing happens on campus.

When asking students about their reactions to the dance, their responses were overall positive. Sophomore Colette Cook said, “I had a great time. It was a fun night with a nice atmosphere. Plus, it was fun to see everyone’s really creative costumes.”

Fellow sophomore Wally Zawadzki said, “I thought the dance was fun but it could’ve had a few more decorations. Other than that I had a really great time, I would say everyone else did too.”

Residence Chaplain in St. Mary’s, Beth Scanlon, also had good things to say about the dance.

“I find that CLL is always looking for ways to make events fun as well as efficient,” said Scanlon. “The turnout was great. There were so many students present. I know that a big dance like that is not for everyone but for those who came, they seemed to be enjoying themselves.”

“It looked to me like students were having fun…the costumes were creative and many were home made.: Scanlon continued. “As an alum, I find that this event is not that different from when I was a student here at Le Moyne.  Dressing up, dancing your feet off and taking care of each other is the way that Le Moyne rolls.  One of the reasons I was there on Friday night is because I want the students to enjoy their time at the college.  My closest friends are my fellow alums and anything I can do to foster that type of relationship building I will do.”