Christina Domenico | NSO in the nighttime

We all know what NSO involves - a healthy dose of hellos, welcome backs and of course, partying. Freshmen spend their days at University events that introduce them to Penn and its workings. But once 11:00 chimes in, off-campus houses fling open their doors to those hoards of students exploring the campus party scene for the first time. And the real fun begins.

The challenge the Undergraduate Assembly and its Steering Committee members face right now (put forth by the Provost's Office) is to plan late-night NSO programming - not necessarily to curb this party-going, but rather to provide another option for students who'd rather not head off campus. The previous years' nighttime events have all ended by midnight, leaving freshmen with nothing to pursue but "unofficial" late-night debauchery.

Without an official source of late-night programming during NSO, Beige Block and beyond sees foot traffic matched only during Spring Fling. Freshmen march toward 41st Street, chatting with their newfound friends before meeting seasoned upperclassmen and jungle juice. With this late-night culture built around off-campus parties, alternative NSO events have a tough battle ahead.

Last Tuesday, I got myself away from my computer to attend the UA Steering Committee's first brainstorming session about possible events. Whatever our student leaders decide on next semester, it's gotta be big to compete with off-campus parties. And awesome.

"I went out probably the first six nights I was here," Wharton freshman Ben Piersall told me. "I probably wouldn't have gone to late-night events over parties, unless it was a big event like a musician."

While one student's opinion can't speak for an entire class - especially one that hasn't been accepted yet - Piersall's approach to his own NSO provides an example of the competition any future late-night events would face. Freshmen want to go out and party. They want to start their college lives with the "typical" experience. After all, they realize that we, as Penn students, do have a reputation to uphold.

But for the people who don't want to don their drunk goggles and stagger from house to house, a late-night option is a great alternative for them to still partake in our social scene. One consideration will be designing an event that fits supply with demand. Which is worse - a small event that's overcrowded or a big event that can't compete with kegs?

Another approach to curbing the freshman exodus off campus - distract the upperclassmen. "We've seen so many more upperclassmen come back for NSO because of partying," College and Wharton senior and UA chairman Wilson Tong said. After all, someone has to provide the fun.

If the University had hosted a welcome-back party downtown at a restaurant or club, I would've gladly RSVPed. After all, many upperclassmen get tired of footing the bill for the parties they throw every year - someone should entertain us for a change.

Of course, big events cost big bucks, whether for freshmen or upperclassmen. "Right now the big concern is the availability of funding," Tong said.

In spite of the money question, Tong added that many student leaders are interested in creating late-night programming to add to their NSO schedules. "This is a great opportunity for student leaders to figure out how they'd have a role in this. They can reach out earlier; make people aware of what they do."

Penn's student groups have the chance to get creative with new events. Freshmen - known for being overly eager and motivated to introduce themselves to hundreds of their peers - will excitedly join your group after a great event. Entertain them earlier, then sign them up.

Next semester, the UA and student groups have a big task to undertake. Talking to freshmen and other students to research what would appeal to incoming students would be the most effective way to gauge future attendance at late-night events. Try a focus group. Get to know the habits of the student body before drawing up the plans to grab the attention of partygoers.

Just don't forget that to a freshman, jungle juice tastes like candy.

Christina Domenico is a College senior from North Wildwood, N.J. Her e-mail is domenico@dailypennsylvanian.com. The Undersized Undergrad appears on Wednesdays.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.