Issue date: 4/28/06 Section: News

Toga test

After traveling a long and winding road, Martin Hall's 2006 Toga Party is set to kick off at 10:00 tonight in Hulen Ballroom. Though rumors have circulated that there would be no Toga party or that it would be hosted by someone else, Martin Hall President junior Andrew Vogler assures everyone that the tradition will be carried on by none other than Martin Hall, and in the fashion everyone has come to expect.

One obstacle the Martin Men faced this year was being told by Student Affairs that they couldn't host the party until they had paid off their $750 fine from College Judicial Council hearings earlier this semester concerning the alleged "Heaven and Hell" party.

"We haven't had a lot of funds [to pay fines] because Martin puts on a lot more events than any other dorm," Vogler said. "We tried to collect money, but people from other halls feel disconnected, like it's not their burden."

The Martin residents received a "Failure to Comply" notice and were told they could not hold the party until they satisfied their sanctions. Then rumors flew that someone else might hold it insttead.

"They (the administration) went behind our backs to try and take Toga away from Martin. They talked to Senate executives and R.A's about hosting it, but never once were we asked about it," Vogler said. "We felt it wasn't their event to take away."

Dean of Students Cassy Bailey "It came up in a brainstorm with Senate executives that if Martin wasn't able to host it (because of their failure to comply with CJC sanctions), we would want to keep the tradition," she said. "I didn't contact anyone else though."

Bailey also noted that it was CJC that had to make the call on whether Martin had satisfied their sanctions and could continue with their party plans, adding that she was pleased to see them complete them so quickly.

"Once CJC lifted the sanctions, we went forward with Martin," Bailey said. "I think Toga is a great tradition and I'm glad they get to carry it on."

According to Vogler, Martin was able to raise the money they needed with the help of CRL, the council on residence life. He added that they are also making strong progress toward completing their community service hours, which they were also sentenced at their judicial hearings.

"There are people who claim they don't have a grudge against Martin Hall, but what they've done recently shows they're putting up as many roadblocks as possible. They see us as a problem dorm but won't acknowledge the work we've done and what we do for the campus," he said. "Compared to other events by other organizations, we've had a much harder time finding policy everyone can enjoy."

The alcohol policy for the event was announced yesterday, and students who can verify legal age will be able to carry in 12 beers, a half pint of hard liquor, or 3 liters of boxed wine if shared between two people, and cups will not be allowed at the event. Additionally, a campus-wide restriction was announced prohibiting cups in any public areas, including public spaces in residence halls, the night of the event.

While Vogler is pleased with the alcohol policy adopted for the party, some students are concerned.

Sophomore Lindsay Fuller said, "Having a no-cup policy all over campus is just going to lead more people to drink too much before they go and end up getting sick."

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