Community focuses on safety at NOD

By Natalie Koonce     10/21/13 7:00pm

This Saturday, Oct. 26, crowds of people wearing underwear and not much else will flood the Wiess College Commons.

The occasion: Night of Decadence, Rice University's famous Halloween lingerie party. As reported in the Oct. 9 issue of the Thresher, the party's theme this year is "196NOD: Come Together, Right Now (All) Over Me."

The Wiess socials could not be reached for comment regarding the theme or preparations for the event.

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According to Rice legend, the inaugural NOD occurred in the early 1970s when Wiess students poured all their alcohol into a tub and mixed it together; since then, the party has grown from a small, impromptu gathering of Wiessmen to a campuswide tradition featuring a different risque theme every year.

In light of last year's negative publicity following the hospitalization of 11 partygoers, Rice Emergency Medical Services has rethought the location of its triage area, according to REMS Captain Patrick McCarthy.

"After consulting with physicians who specialize in the medical management of large events, we realized that our new position would facilitate better patient flow and assessment, as well as allow easier access if an ambulance crew is needed," McCarthy, a Baker College senior, said.

According to McCarthy, REMS' primary goal is always safety for everyone involved.

"The general idea behind providing medical care at NOD is to quickly and efficiently triage patients and provide them with the appropriate level of care," McCarthy said. "Regardless of the alcohol policy changes, our job remains the same: to keep students and visitors safe."

Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson said he expects partygoers to respect university policy and cooperate with safety officials at the party. 

"A large number of students work very hard to make this event fun and safe," Hutchinson said. "We expect every member of the community to cooperate with these student leaders, as well as [with] RUPD and REMS, to support these efforts and to comply with university policy and state law. On all occasions, all students are expected to take care of each other and to make choices which are reasonable, responsible and respectful."

NOD's reputation for unrestrained debauchery and sometimes-excessive intoxication does not appeal to everyone.

Jones College sophomore Sofi Hebert said she does not plan on attending.

"I have friends who love going to NOD, and it's a lot of fun brainstorming potential costumes with them, but it's personally not for me," Hebert said.

Sid Richardson College President Caitlin Devereaux said her college would again be hosting Night of Innocence, an alternative to NOD. NOI will take place during the same times and is designed for those not interested in drinking.

"The people setting [NOI] up this year are the same from the past two years," Devereaux said. "[The event is] a movie marathon in your [pajamas] with some baked goods from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. [It's] usually Disney movies."

There are still many students looking forward to the party despite its polarizing nature.

Brown College freshman Claudia Kann said she is eager to experience her first NOD.

"I'm excited to be a part of this Rice tradition," Kann said. "It seems like a real bonding experience."

Martel College senior Kenneth Misner said he has attended in past years and is ready for one last NOD.

"For better or worse, NOD never disappoints," Misner said.

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