In the shadow of NOD: New Wiess public met with mixed reviews

By Abigail Chiu     1/28/25 11:43pm

Wiess College hosted Masks After Dark on Jan. 25, its inaugural new public, which debuted months after administration permanently canceled the Night of Decadence. NOD, Wiess’ themed underwear party, had run for five decades — and was so risqué, it allegedly garnered Playboy attention — before excessive drinking and hospitalizations drove the party to its early death in October 2023.

Isabelle Shen and Rocio Gras, Wiess’ socials vice presidents, said they learned of NOD’s cancellation along with the rest of the student body on June 5. After brainstorming new public themes and soliciting student input, “Masks After Dark” was announced in October as the college’s new party.

“[We were] a little surprised since we hadn’t been told beforehand, but also a little worried, honestly,” Shen wrote in an email to the Thresher. “There was so much for us to put together now [that] we had to start from scratch.”

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Wiess students voted on several possible themes, including options like Roaring ’20s, Aprés Ski-yee and Night at the Museum. After settling on a masquerade theme, Wiess socials opted to create the MAD acronym, loosely based on NOD’s tradition, Shen said.

MAD marks a change from other publics with a semi-formal dress code encouraged. Shen said that students did wear the suggested attire. 

“We advertised MAD as a semiformal public … and [administration] specifically asked for us to emphasize that clothes are required, as they initially feared students would continue treating the public like NOD,” Shen wrote.

“The big changes to the public that most students didn’t like (completely different theme with completely different attire, date, outdoor public) were entirely [administration] and our magister’s decision, and we had no say in it. Even when we pushed hard for some aspects, such as it being inside, to remain the same, they were very firm and would not allow us to take charge of that.”

Bridget Gorman, dean of undergraduates, and Flavio Cunha, Wiess magister, did not provide comment in time for publication.

Students in attendance said they had mixed opinions on MAD, particularly about the newly-outdoors location change. Wiess sophomore Sergio Karam said MAD was enjoyable, but couldn’t live up to NOD’s standards.

“It’s not as good as NOD, but I think given the circumstances, the social vice presidents did a great job. It couldn’t be as hyped up as NOD was, frankly,” Karam said. “The [vice presidents] put in a lot of work. This is a great party with what they were given.”

Alexus Lee, a Will Rice College freshman, also said that the outdoor location made it difficult for MAD to keep the energy high.

“I think it’s hard to throw an outdoor public because the space is so big, and it’s hard to make it as hype,” Lee said. “So it’s not Wiess’s fault, but it’s a little difficult to make the party fun. But they did a good job with the decorations, and I enjoyed the video of the Costco guys.”

Karlianna Kapche, a Duncan College freshman, said she appreciated the semi-formal theme but not the location.

“It was nice to have a more formal event, but maybe not outdoors,” Kapche said.

Other attendees like Matthew Edelstein, a Wiess senior, said that the party had a good turnout. 

“I’m having such a good time. I think [attendance] is really good,” Edelstein said. “We voted for the theme. Even the people that don’t come out that often, they’re out tonight, and we are having fun.”

MAD drew negative comparisons to Martel’s Texas Party from Ava Yoder, a Duncan freshman. 

“It’s giving Martel [Texas Party] in all the bad ways, unfortunately. But we’ve heard so much NOD lore and stories,” Yoder said. “In theory, [the theme] is good, but the masks are uncomfortable and inconvenient. I feel like it makes sense after the downfall of NOD for the first attempt to be not that great, but hopefully, it’ll be better in the future.”

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