OT: Slope Day

[Justin Nachod \'04]

Just thought I'd post this link for students who are curious about what's going to happen during Slope Day this year.  Some of this info is new (charging guests $5, cornell id required) and some isn't (no byob).

http://www.slopeday.cornell.edu/

[Melissa\'01]

ok. I'll bite, I guess. What the hell happened to slope day? When the heck did it become a university organized event? no byob? drinks sold on premises? must be 21 to drink? wow. as it is cornell, i guess i can't really say that i'm shocked ... but i am disappointed. it sucks for current and future students that the day has come to this.  i say change the location (or the date - no gates, no rules, no party poopers) and celebrate in the fashion with which the day was meant to be celebrated.

[Section A]

Last year, Slope Day was a lot of fun, despite it being a little chilly (that changed after a few drinks though ;-) ).

This year, on the other hand, is really not going to be fun, especially for those of us under 21. The whole idea of Slope Day (at least how I saw it and how older kids would talk about it) was to do something that was purposely NOT University planned or related (i.e. classes), and now that the University is scheduling it like this, it just defeats the purpose.

I'll stop before I sound like a whining alcoholic :-P

[Greg Berge]

I take it the university does not officially sanction couples making it in tents while NRBQ plays?

The best thing about SpringFest / Phi Psi was that the real estate swindle, er, sorry, Day Hall used to give it the only possible response that it could without killing it: benign neglect.  I hate oldsters who harp on differences that they can't be informed by.  But I'm sure it completely sucks now.



Post Edited (04-23-03 16:44)

[jtwcornell91]

SpringFest/Slope Day will probably go through chaotic oscillations between "benign neglect", University crackdowns, student rebellion, and failed cooperation until the end of time.  The best approach Cornell took when I was a student was to put a couple of bands on the slope to give the students something to do besides drink, but otherwise leave them alone.  Of course, then it rained and the bands moved indoors where the University couldn't really ignore people bringing their own booze, so everyone just drank outside in the rain.

And I am as usual annoyed that the "history" section ignores the fact that it didn't start being called "Slope Day" until sometime after 1991.

[CU at Stanford]

Agree...In my and Greg's days (uh, just slightly before JTW's), it was known as SpringFest, indeed.  I even lived through "Take Back the Slope" (in '85?), when the University tried to hold an officially sanctioned SpringFest on North Campus.  Utter failure, in the eyes of most students.

While I understand the reasons behind Day Hall's decision to do things this way this year, I just have these words to you youngsters:

TAKE BACK THE SLOPE!

Of course, do drink responsibly... ::nut::

[judy]

Looks like the university found another way to suck money from the students...

[CUlater]

The concert etc. on North Campus was in '86 (my freshman year), with the Del Fuegos playing to a sparse audience.

[pat]

I doubt the university's planning to rake it in from dollar beers and hot dogs. The $5 is for guests of students, not students. (Overheard in Day Hall: "Ha ha! now we can get Cornel West!")



Post Edited (04-24-03 10:47)

[Jon Getty \'96]

Wow, that's seriously disturbing... :`(

If I didn't already have two guests that week in Santa Barbara, I'd have to come organize resistance.  I'll have to be seriously disappointed with the current student body if they don't defeat security.

For starters, the fence needs extensive elective surgery the night before Slope Day.  Also, The Uris Library overlook is poorly defended; tie ropes to the  railing and slide down, or just drop your cargo to buddies.  Next, fill a bunch of plastic pint bottles with screwdriver and smuggle/toss/launch them onto the slope, hand them out courtesy of a ficticious fraternity, or the Lynah Faithful.

Naturally, entry points at the top of the hill (faster egress downhill) should be overrun by organized groups of several dozen.  The personnel manning these points should be distracted by a whiny student who forgot his driver's licence, or needs to bring food compatible with his Atkins Diet onto the slope. Failing that, soften 'em up with water balloons.  

Find out in advance what color the wrist bracelets will be, acquire and distribute these in large quantities.  Alternatively, fake bracelets can be made on the spot with electrical tape (bring assorted colors, but probably red), a pen and paper.  Since they're relying on volunteers for most of the labor, take advantage of this by recruiting many volunteer double-agents who might overlook booze, food, guests, bracelet security, etc.

I'll shut up now, since I have a dissertation to finish... but for Pete's sake*, be creative.

*Pete was the guy who brought a pig's head onto the slope in 1995. Or maybe that wasn't his name. Whatever....

[jtwcornell91]

Wow, you must be a lot of fun on Halloween in Isla Vista.  ::nut::

[DeltaOne81]

I have a better, simpler idea... how about getting 5,000 people to participate in Arts Quad Day :-D ("Yeah, um, dumbasses, there's plenty of outdoor areas in Ithaca where we can sit and drink").

-Fred

[Jeff Hopkins \'82]

But make sure wherever you sit and drink is visible to those who can't drink.   They will feel the power of the Dark Side.

JH

[Jon Getty \'96]

Nah, we use the Goleta option for Halloween.  Our parties aren't conservative or mindless enough for DP. :-D

[Black Sugar]

Yeah, on the slope day website it says that they are making no profit on food and drinks.  I'd say they'd sure make a profit with the whole guest thing.  Where did they come up with that bs?  I was upset I graduated last year to a slope day that was cold and drizzly, but after learning of all these changes, I am glad I got out when I did.  No offense to any current students.  You can always bury beer the night before.