NSO nights will see salsa music and cakewalks

The Undergraduate Assembly, the Office of the Provost, and a dozen campus organizations will put the "new" back into New Student Orientation this fall as they work together to provide new and improved late-night activities to entering freshmen during the weekend of NSO.

College sophomore and UA chairman Alec Webley emphasized that this is the first time late-night activities like this have been offered.

"Previously, NSO attempted to plan late-night programming but, like most social events thought up by administrators for students, they were dismal failures," he wrote in an e-mail.

Consequently, the involvement of campus organizations became an integral point in the brainstorming process, Rob Nelson, director of undergraduate education for the Provost's Office, said.

Because the change came about after several unregistered fraternity parties and alcohol-related violations during last year's NSO, alternatives - including alcohol-free parties - needed to be created, Webley and Nelson explained.

The Provost's Office could host more "official" events, Nelson said, but that would defeat the social-aspect of NSO.

The student group collaborators include Hillel, Penn Alumni Student Society, the Muslim Student Association, Wharton Council, Latino Coalition, Penn Latin and Ballroom Dance, Panhellenic Council, the Penn Environmental Group, The Daily Pennsylvanian, the Queer Student Association and the Philomathean Society, Webley listed. Each will propose an idea for its own weekend activity.

"In addition, the Penn Student Government will be holding a social mixer for freshmen on Saturday with the leaders of all six branches," he wrote.

Though the event proposals are still in their early stages, the prospective visions are not only looking to be fun, but also to introduce new students to each of the groups.

Panhel president, College junior and former Daily Pennsylvanian assignments editor Alissa Eisenberg said Panhel is considering hosting an indoor carnival in which each sorority would man a different station, such as a cakewalk or a raffle.

It would be the students' "first real exposure" to the sororities on campus, she added.

LC is planning on a "Latin Night," with a salsa band, games and Latin food from a local restaurant, College sophomore and LC chairman Cristian Barrios said.

"[NSO] is a very good time to reach students, especially Latinos," Barrios said. With LC and La Casa Latina on campus as resources, the event would be "just to let them know they have a support system here - as minorities and Latinos, they have their own specific needs."

Concerning the presence of fraternity events during the week, "currently there is a 'social freeze' during NSO, such that no registered fraternity parties may be held for its entire duration," Webley explained. However, with last year's violation fines in mind, "[the Interfraternity Council] came to the UA (me), and together we authored a resolution that called on the University to permit registered parties during NSO," he wrote.

Webley added that he believes the new events constitute "truly tangible change."

"Part of what we're going to do is expand the scope of NSO well beyond any official programming," Nelson said. "The unofficial events, like meeting hall mates, are just as important, so we're trying to be as smart as possible about helping make that experience worthwhile."

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