On Fri. Jan. 25, NEIU’s Student Government Association (SGA) conducted a Mardi Gras-themed back to school party, to kick off the spring 2008 semester. The Physical Education Complex’s main gymnasium closed at 4 p.m. in order for SGA members to embellish the facility with bright gold, green and purple party decorations of masks, balloons and streamers. Despite the cold, volunteers and staff worked diligently to set up the event. Tickets sold for $3 per NEIU student and $5 for guests.
“The point of this is to bring unity into the school and to the organizations to build relationships with student government. It’s basically just to have fun,” stated Adeicha Martinez, Chair of the Student Welfare Committee.
At the door, individuals were welcomed with bright Mardi Gras beads and endless bags of buttered popcorn. The party started with a large screen viewing of I Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James and Jessica Biel. Warm pizza and cold drinks were served for dinner during the movie. After the completion of the comedy, people danced to DJ Extreme’s mix of mainstream hip hop, exotic techno and spicy Latin tunes.
Alpha Psi Lambda, NEIU’s largest Latino co-ed fraternity, co-hosted the event by selling churros, sweet Spanish pastries, and corn on the cob drenched with mayonnaise, butter and other condiments formally known as Latin American elotes. According to Alpha Psi Lambda member, Leticia Gallardo, said “social events bring the community to know us.” The friendly members of the Greek fraternity conversed with the majority of guests and encouraged them to move onto the flashing multicolor-lighted floor.
Despite the SGA’s efforts to draw in the school community through Facebook.com’s NEIU network and the Independent’s advertisement section, less than fifty people arrived after 6 p.m. An hour before the party was scheduled to end at 10 p.m., several guests left to defrost their cars. Regardless of the small turn out, individuals participating in the event happily socialized with each other, filling the massive gymnasium with laughter and sweet dance moves.