Vegas-themed NOD will dazzle

By Ruby Gee     10/28/10 7:00pm

Viva NOD Vegas: Go All In is tomorrow night, and students are going all out, or taking it all off, to prepare.Ticket sales for Wiess College's public party started Monday, with tickets selling for $8 each beforehand or at the door for $10. A t-shirt and ticket combination can be purchased for $15.

The Wiess Socials said that about 1,200 students have attended in past years, but that they do not yet know how many will this year. There are 150 guest passes for sale.

This year's incarnation of NOD will feature a walking magician, card tables and a red carpet costume contest in the Acabowl area.

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"We're trying to make NOD more inclusive," Wiess Social Alysa Frost said. "We want it to be an enjoyable night for everyone."

Wiess Socials Frost and Kelsey Mase did not want to reveal any further specifics regarding the party's decorations.

"Decorations will involve lots of glitz and glamour, but we want to keep the rest a surprise," Mase, a junior, said. "We want to build and expand the event [and] embrace Rice's potential for creativity."

The Wiess Socials said that they have been working with the administration and RUPD to coordinate a safe event. Mase, who encouraged students to read the flyer regarding NOD's alcohol policy, said that they tried to keep what has worked with past NOD events, while adding more improvements.

"We're trying to break the mold without taking away the party atmosphere," Mase said.

Frost , a junior, said that she did not anticipate NOD experiencing any security or safety issues since they have been working with the administration and RUPD to coordinate a safe event. Sid Richardson College's public party was forced to limit attendees midway through the party due to overcrowding, which was deemed a fire hazard.

"NOD is the safest party on the Rice campus," Frost said. "We have a security force of about 120 students from all over campus, of all ages."

NOD security members, who will work four hour shifts, will enjoy free food, shirts and giveaways as they work at the party. The additional presence of a 12 member RUPD force and an ambulance, which together will cost Wiess $5,000, and EMS volunteers are meant to add to the security of the event.

Despite the anticipated changes to NOD this year, the reputation of NOD as a lingerie party has discouraged some students from buying tickets to the event. Brown College Freshman Pearl Choi said that she does not plan on attending NOD.

"NOD is horrifying for the same reasons Baker 13 is horrifying," Choi said. "[There will be] lots of semi-naked people in close proximity to myself, which I do not enjoy."

Lovett College junior Andy Ho said that he was also not planning on attending this year's NOD.

"Last year's theme was cleverer than this year's" Ho said. "It's not really so out of the ordinary, so it doesn't draw the same attention that more original themes would."

The theme of last year's NOD, which drew approximately 1,300 student attendees, was The Wonderful World of NOD: Someday My Prince will Come. Decorations included edited images of classic Disney characters, which were hand-drawn by students, on Wiess's walls.

Will Rice College senior Mike Burcham said he contemplated skipping this year's NOD for the Halloween party that will be held on 6th Street in Austin, but decided to stay for the public party since it is his last year at Rice.

"I've always had a good time at all of the other NODs I've been to," Burcham said. "It's nice to see that Rice kids don't take everything too seriously."

Jones freshman Chloe Blaskiewicz said that she was pumped for NOD as well. For her costume, she has put together a Lady Gaga inspired disco bra.

"I'm really excited because I feel like it's been built up to be the best party of the year," Blaskiewicz said. "I've never been so I'm looking forward to experiencing it.

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