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Types of Campus Parties

All-Campus Party

All-Campus Parties are sponsored by the Student Events Committee, student organizations or several houses working together and are open to persons with Smith College IDs.  All Campus Parties where alcohol is being served may be held only in the Campus Center.  The serving of alcohol must be supervised by Dining Services.

 

Registered House Events

There are four types of events that need to be registered. Below are brief descriptions of each.

Registered House Programs

These events are smaller scale with the purpose to provide opportunities for house members to connect with each other. These events might be open to the entire house community or a subset of the community (such as a class year of POCheese event). If the house is bringing in an outside vendor (massage therapist, a capella group), there might be a need for a contract to be created. These events might be a single event or a repeated event (such as “hump day” activities. 

Who Can Host: Any student in the house can host a House Program

Training Requirements: Training is not necessary to host these events but here are training resources for those interested.

RL student staff requirement: Not included in the registration process nor needs to be present at the event.

Examples of these events are:

  • Movie nights
  • Big/little sib events
  • Class gatherings
  • Game nights
  • Craft events

 

Registered House Parties

These are large events where typically there is amplified music, usually provided by a DJ. A decision has to be made as a house community that they want to host a house party. The House Social Event Coordinators (HSECs) work with their House Presidents (HP) to plan the event. These events can be open (no guest list) or closed (with a guest list). The Party and Events Team will attend to assist with the management of the event. HSECS and HPs must be at the event for the duration of the event and Residence Life student staff must be in the building (but not required at the event) for the duration of the event. Alcohol can be served at these events. These events cannot be more than 4 hours.

Who Can Host: HSECs that have been trained.

Training Requirements: HSECs must have completed the House Party Training

RL student staff requirement: Included in the registration process. Does not work the party but must be in the house during the party.

Examples of these events are:

  • Open and Closed House Parties like "Fetish" and "Immorality"
  • Any event (other than a Small Private Event and House/Senior Banquet) where alcohol is being served.

 

Senior Banquets/House Banquets

House and Senior Banquets are events that are designed around a meal which may include alcohol. Senior Banquets are specific events that happen in April of each year that celebrate the achievements of the seniors in each house. House Banquets are unique traditions depending on the house. A house that would like to have a House Banquet (separate from the Senior Banquet), must contact the Coordinator of House Events in advance of registering the event. These events are generally limited to house residents with flexibility to have up to 10 outside guests who are usually former residents of the house. House Residence Life Staff must be present at this event in addition to the host of the event. These events cannot be more than 4 hours.

Who Can Host: Banquet hosts who have completed the online training

Training Requirements: Banquet hosts must complete an online training

RL student staff requirement: Included in the registration process and must staff the event.

Examples of these events are:

  • Senior Banquets
  • Medieval Banquets

 

Small Private Event/Apartment Parties

These events are hosted by a resident (s) of a house community. It is not an open event as the host(s) invite specific people to these events. The maximum number of people that can attend a Small Private Event is 30 and does not need to be limited to residents of the house. Small Private Events can be located in a house common room (Living room, study, beau parlor etc.) or in a Conway House, Henshaw or Friedman Apartment. Alcohol can be served at these events if the host (s) is 21 or older. These events cannot be more than 4 hours.

Who Can Host: Anyone living in the specific housing unit where the event is to be located.

Training Requirements: The students who want to host the event must complete the online training.

RL student staff requirement: Not included in the registration process nor needs to be present at the event.

Examples of these events are:

  • A birthday party
  • Celebration of a thesis being completed
  • Senior wine and cheese

 

Open and Closed Parties

When houses decide they would like to host a Registered House Party, they must decide if the event will be open or closed. Below are the definitions of open and closed events.

  • Open House Party: There is no guest list for the event. Any Smith College student and up to 3 of their guests can attend an Open House Party. Once capacity is reached at an Open House Party, admittance is restricted (one person leaves the event then another may enter).Open House Parties with a capacity of 100 or more must have a Crowd Manager.
  • Closed House Party: A guest list must be turned into the designated residence life professional staff member on the Friday before the event. Only those people on the guest list may enter the event. Non Smith Students must be a guest of a Smith Student. Smith Students can have up to 3 guests. Once capacity is reached at a Closed House Party, admittance is restricted (one person leave the event then another may enter). Closed House Parties never require a crowd manager.