Many Sigma Chi fraternity brothers toasted cans of energy revitalizing Red Bull drinks, after Saturday’s first major on-campus non-alcoholic party.
First Snow, a Sigma Chi tradition, differed from last year’s event. Along with the non-alcoholic theme sponsored by Red Bull, donations were collected for the American Red Cross to help the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.
“Every dollar dropped into the canisters will go directly to the American Red Cross,” said Jonny Vu, DU senior and the social chair for Sigma Chi. “We wanted to do our part to help those who have suffered through tremendous losses.”
With canisters at the front door, as well as inside the Sigma Chi house, the fraternity raised approximately $350.
“We are so proud of this achievement,” said Vu. “Since this was a non-alcoholic party we did not know what to expect.”
To ensure alcohol was not brought into the house, Force over Brothers (Sigma Chi’s designated security personnel that consisted of Sigma Chi members) checked bags and sniffed drinks in plastic cups.
“We just want to make sure we hold our word that this is going to be a non-alcoholic party,” Dustin Swenstard, a freshman pledge said. “It’s a party. It’s going to be fun whether or not there is alcohol.”
Vu, who prompted Red Bull as a sponsor for this year’s event, had first noticed the Red Bull representatives on Driscoll Lawn. Communication was maintained between Vu and Red Bull, and in no time the idea of holding a Red-Bull sponsored party was at a go.
“We want to show the DU community, which includes administration, faculty, as well as Greek life that DU students do not need alcohol to have a good time,” said Vu, “We hope that the DU community will try to support us.”
Nate, from A-Music, bumped Hip Hop and Dance Music in the basement, while many members of the Greek community and non-Greek DU students showed their support as they danced the night away chugging cans of Red Bull and donating spare dollars into the plastic canisters.
“I live off Red Bull, especially during those late night cramming sessions before an exam,” Karen Lam said, a Delta Zeta sorority member. “Having Red Bull as a sponsor for this event is great. I’ve already had four cans in the past two hours.”
The future of non-alcoholic events for Sigma Chi is in the making. The fraternity house plans on having another non-alcoholic event next quarter, as well as making First Snow a non-alcoholic annual tradition.
“We want to make this an event where DU students can come together and enjoy themselves without being under the influence of alcohol,” says Vu. “We want to provide an example to all Greek houses.”
