Wands, Capes and Chaos!

Halloween Inferno 2005 was the most talked about party at UB, and probably will be for the next few weeks. Halloween Inferno, sponsored by the Black Student Alliance, LSU, and SGA, began at about 10 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2005. The campus security company “Securitas” implemented the wanding policy for the first time at this party. Students in attendance were questioned on how they felt about the wanding policy and whether or not they agreed. UB freshman, Katherine Rogers, responded, “It keeps us safe, but it is annoying. I understand why it is here.” Not all students agreed with what Katherine had to say. UB junior Asha Dadlani-Ward answered, “I think the wanding policy is garbage. Ladies should be allowed to bring their pocket books into the party. It is ridiculous to ask us to bring ‘zip-loc’ bags.” Kimel Greenslade said, “It is beneficial to the student population. It guarantees the prevention of weapons into parties. It doesn’t hurt to have it!” A majority of the students questioned at the party were in favor of the wanding policy.
Since this was the first party where the wanding policy was implemented, there was a bit of confusion among the students. According to the policy, partygoers who leave and try to re-enter, must be re-wanded at each entry. Students trying to enter the party without being re-wanded were stopped by Securitas. This made some of the party goers angry. Ben Manifold a junior said, “I think it is a bit excessive. I don’t like to see students being treated like criminals. It kills the party vibe.” Most of the students didn’t arrive until after 11 p.m.. This caused a bottleneck at the check -in line where the students paid to get in. The students ended up cramped in the hallway while waiting in line to get to the table. At the same time, there were students trying to check their coats and bags in at the coat room which was in the same hallway. Another student, who would like to be kept anonymous, said, “Thank you, SGA, for such a confusing procedure at the table. This procedure needs to be reviewed. Majorly reviewed. This is just so…I have no words to describe it.” There were a few people who got into arguments with the security personnel about entering the party.
Security stopped letting students in around 11:55 p.m. when the students became very uncooperative. The students became very finicky about the situation. A crowd of students waiting to get into the party became rude to security and demanded that the process be speeded up. “Single file line. No single file line, no getting in,” said one security officer. The crowd of students became uncontrollable. The Bridgeport Police were called in to aid the situation. Sgt. Sample of the Bridgeport Police said, “Wanding, along with the opening of bags, provides a safer environment for students and visitors. In current times it is paramount.” Dean of Students Joseph Oravecz was interviewed by John Crowley: “The students came to me requesting the wanding. It is student initiated. I wanted to ensure that student safety was at the forefront of having fun,” said Dean Oravecz. Around 12:45 a.m., the party sold out and people waiting in line to get into the party were turned away. Three hundred and fifty tickets were sold at this party, both to UB and non-UB students. This caused the crowd to get even more upset. There was much anticipation for this party and some students didn’t even make it into the Student Center. “There is no space for UB students when you allowing two people per student,” said Zishan Niazi.At approximately 1:10 a.m., the lights in the party came on. This sparked some irritation, and some aggravated students kicked through the glass doors at one of the emergency exits in the social room. Security and the Bridgeport Police, as well as the groups sponsoring the party, assessed the damage and the party continued.
The party ended in chaos. A fire alarm was pulled around 1:45 in the morning. Security evacuated the building putting quite a few of the students out in the cold with no coats. The Fire Department was called in and assessed the situation calling it a “false alarm.” Edina Oestreicher, Director of Student Programming and Student Development, said, “I think it is a good thing we are trying here. The jury is still out and we are looking to get feedback from the students after the party.