I recently heard a rumor, later confirmed in the pages of Student Life, that this fall’s WILD will be a keg-free event. As a senior at Washington University who has only two more WILDs to look forward to, I was not surprised – having heard the alcohol-free WILD rumors since my first day at WU – but I was upset after having heard the news.
This news itself, however, was not nearly as troubling as the rationale for the new policy provided by Team 31 and quoted in a recent Student Life article. According to organizers, the “Party with a Purpose,” the supposed “theme” behind this year’s WILD, is intended to help raise money and awareness of the horrible tragedies that occurred on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. But I believe that Team 31 is using the tragedy more as an excuse than as a cause. I think they saw the tragic events as the perfect opportunity to conduct the grand social experiment of the alcohol-free WILD.
I support raising money for the victims and their families who have suffered because of these tragedies. But do the students of WU, many of whom look forward biannually to the food, drink, and music of WILD, have to suffer as well? The prevailing attitude amongst Americans is that we all must press on with our lives and show those responsible for the cowardly acts of evil that the attacks have not changed American lifestyles, which for students include kicking back with friends, listening to music, and having a few beers every once in a while.
There are plenty of other ways to raise funds other than eliminating the money spent on kegs and using it for donations. Why not consider ideas that won’t change WILD as we know it? For instance, why not tack on an extra ten bucks to the keg registration fee? Or better yet, why not contribute some of the money that Team 31 wastes yearly on those stupid, inflatable sumo wrestlers or just have WILD from 4:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. and not spend the money on sound system rental for the four previous hours when no one shows up to listen to local opening bands? Finally, perhaps Team 31 should consider contributing directly to the victims’ families the money saved by having “Reese” (who?) headline.
While I am not suggesting that alcohol is necessary to have a good time generally or at WILD in particular, I do believe that the lack of both alcohol and a big headlining act will hurt attendance at WILD, in which case little money will be raised and the “purpose” itself undermined. Students at this school expect WILD to be a certain way because of tradition.
I encourage all the students on this campus to email, write, or call Team 31, and let them know how you feel, even if you don’t agree with me. Everyone is concerned about the victims of the terrorist attacks and we all should help out in the effort to raise money on the victims’ behalf. I will probably not go to WILD this year, but I urge everyone, to help the effort by buying a T-shirt or tossing a few bucks into the Red Cross donation box. Afterwards, go have a good time.wherever that may take you.