Despite tables of chocolate mousse and gallons of apple cider, last night's fourth-annual Halloween party was a letdown for some students.
The event, hosted by Penn President Amy Gutmann, was the first to be held at Wynn Commons instead of the President's House at 38th and Walnut streets.
The party had a number of other changes. Unlike past years, in which Gutmann's house and backyard was decorated in elaborate themes such as the musical Wicked, this year's event lacked a cohesive theme.
Gutmann also didn't dress up in costume - she has emulated Glinda the Good Witch and Willy Wonka in the past - and after posing for pictures and conversing with students, she exited the party halfway through the event and did not appear to return.
The annual party represents one of the few moments of the year in which students have the chance to interact with Gutmann.
This year's event was the first since Gutmann made headlines when she posed for a photograph last year with 2007 Penn alumnus and former Daily Pennsylvanian photographer Saad Saadi, who was dressed as a suicide bomber.
Some students said this fall's party fell short of past occasions.
"There is no specific theme this year, [and] it's not as big as in the past," said College junior Emma Thadani, who added that she liked the party better the past two years.
Still, students - many of whom dressed up in costume, from Harry Potter to a glittering multicolored alien - seemed to enjoy the festivities, as they wandered the packed tent sampling various holiday treats like hot chocolate, ice cream cups and sandwiches and popcorn.
For many, the highlight was a chocolate fondue fountain, featuring piles of potato chips, marshmallows, bite-size cake pieces and pretzel rods.
The controversy of the previous year helped spread the word about the party for some students.
"I heard the controversy last year and knew this event was really big," Wharton and Engineering junior Jun Hagiwara said.
Overall, though, most students seemed to simply enjoy the free food and festivities.
"It was a good way to celebrate with friends, and there was nothing else to do," College freshman Joanna Burkitt said.
Gutmann could not be reached despite repeated requests for comment.
