Freshmen at Washington University kick off their first Friday with the traditional Club 40 dance. They stand around or dance, enjoy free pizza and root beer, and meet each other.

But this year, more than just freshmen attended. According to University authorities, older students who were not Washington University Student Associates (WUSAs) or Resident Advisors (RAs) attended the party, drinking from open containers and behaving inappropriately.

“It seemed like a proliferation of upperclassmen,” said Danielle Bristow, director of the First Year Center. “Is there nothing else upperclassmen can do besides come to a freshman party?”

Though there is no known count of upperclassmen attendees, Congress of the South 40 (CS40) members noted a significant rise in attendance that could not be attributed to the size of the freshman class. Last year, CS40 bought two kegs of root beer and attendees did not finish them. This year, they bought three and ran out early in the night.

“This is the most upperclassmen I think I’ve ever seen,” Bristow said.

Bristow has worked with the event for the past five years.

Some upperclassmen showed up drinking alcoholic beverages. According to sophomore Joe Sutherland, speaker of CS40, at least two students were asked to empty out containers by administrators.

WUSAs, who were required to attend the dance, were asked by administrators to report any instances of inappropriate behavior.

“There definitely were some reports,” said senior Rachel Bader, who serves on the Orientation Executive Board.

David Wallace, the Coordinator for Greek Housing Programs, asked students to report on specific incidents.

“There were allegations, but the orientation staff didn’t have anybody’s name,” Wallace said. “From my perspective, Club 40 is a first-year Orientation event…[this behavior is just like] any event where students can make poor decisions.”

The Greek Life Office has not launched any investigations.

Though no further actions have been taken by authorities, Sutherland did receive an apology letter from one upperclassman who apologized for drinking and for his poor behavior at the event.

Despite the student’s apology, administrators’ worries about student behavior were not eased.

“I was concerned that with the combination of alcohol and upperclassmen and new students that there’s a potential for dangerous behavior on everybody’s part,” Bristow said.