Photo by: Greg Lau

This year’s See-saw-athon was scheduled to run from noon Thursday to noon Friday. However, a serious injury and multiple underage intoxicated students caused Gamma Phi Beta to shut down the festivities at around 2 a.m. on Friday morning.

Carter Harrison, 21, a junior Chi Phi, was one of the students involved in the string of events that led to See-saw-athon’s closure; after apparantly suffering a back injury, Harrison was taken to the hospital via ambulance.

“I feel terrible that Gamma Phi Beta and all the organization entrants’ work was cut short because I was injured.B That is something that I never intended to happen,” said Harrison.B “It was just an accident, and they happen, that’s all I can say.”

A Clarion reporter who was at the scene of the See-saw-athon event on Thursday evening and into the early hours of Friday morning saw incidents take place that led to the closing down of the event.

At approximately 9:30 a.m. an underage female was throwing up on herself in front of the Driscoll university center where numerous people were entering and exiting to use the bathrooms. The DU student was surrounded by three Campus Safety officers and was later transported by ambulance to a local hospital.

Also, there were reports of multiple male and female students falling off the see-saws, including two supposedly being taken to a local hospital. Also, when Gamma Phi Beta sorority members walked around and told students the event had been shut down, a few fights broke out in front of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house. At least five police cars showed up at the scene but no arrests were reportedly made.

Director of Campus Life Carl Johnson stated yesterday, “Gamma Phi was overwhelmed by the amount of people on the lawn, and the incidents that took place also played a role in the shutting down of the event.” Johnson stated this year’s incident could play a role in next year’s See-saw-athon.

“As of right now I see no reason there would not be a See-saw-athon next year,” said Johnson.

Gamma Phi Beta, sponsor of the fund-raising event, declined to comment on the alleged incidents that occurred on Thursday night.

Although See-saw-athon was cancelled, students had plenty of time to enjoy themselves while the event was still in full swing on Thursday.

“Anaconda” was a fitting name for Chi Phi’s see-saw this year. Not to be defeated by a 10.5 foot height restriction, Chi Phi created a see-saw that was a purported 48-feet-long board, and rivaled its namesake in length.

“They’re now threatening to have a length requirement so we can’t do this again,” said Will Whitmore, 19, a freshman Chi Phi. At least the fraternity had the foresight to install makeshift seatbelts made of backpack straps on the structure, to ensure safety for those riding the immense see-saw.

While most of the other see-saws were smaller than the Anaconda, a majority of them, like the Anaconda, could recognizably fit with this year’s “Safari” theme. Some were painted in animal prints, others included plants and rocks, and a couple incorporated stuffed animals. One creative see-saw had its own attached (but immobile) hookah bar.

The see-saws were all constructed by fraternities, sororities, and campus clubs, whose $200 participation fee went toward Gamma Phi’s charity, Camp Fire USA, a nonprofit youth development program.

Susanna Beier, 19, a Gamma Phi philanthropy co-chair, estimates that the sorority raises an average of $5,000 each year, which includes money from See-saw-athon, raffle sales, and donations from parents.

One of the reasons that See-saw-athon is a perennial success at DU is the open, party-like atmosphere of the event. Everyone on campus is invited to participate – and indeed, many students accept this invitation.

The crowd on Thursday, adorned with free glow-stick necklaces, filled Driscoll Lawn as students came out to socialize, ride see-saws and listen to Kinetix play live on the green. People could meet up with old friends, make new ones, and get reacquainted with those old classmates from freshman year in the ocean of see-saw enthusiasts.

“It brings everyone on campus together; you don’t have to be in a fraternity or sorority. There’s no other Greek event that’s open to everyone,” said Lindsey Simmer, 20, another Gamma Phi sister. “Everyone is out here having fun.”

“It’s the biggest gathering of the year. It’s great,” said Zach Burkland, 21, a Zeta Beta Tau and another see-saw engineer.

Although many students were disappointed about the early end to See-saw-athon ’07, the festivities were successful as a philanthropic event.