A tornado watch and almost two inches of rain couldn't keep students from attending the Late Nite at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center on Saturday.
"Welcome Back" Late Nite focused on entertaining all students from freshmen to seniors with a wide array of activities ranging from spin art to a mechanical bull ride.
With a turn-out of roughly 1,500 to 1,600 people, Director Jessica Inman said Late Nite was a success. This is Inman's first year as director, although she has worked with the Late Nite program for three years.
"I absolutely love the program," Inman said. "I think it is a vital part of the college experience here on Ball State's campus."
It had an arts and crafts where students could make their own key chain and candy art where students could mix candies together for people who preferred more laid-back activities, as well a dance party, velcro wall and Jacob's Ladder for students wanting more physical or social activities.
Late Nite included a raffle with tickets drawn once an hour. The raffle offered prizes such as gas cards, movie tickets, iTunes and gift certificates.
Late Nite started out as an alternative program offered once a month six years ago, and is now a weekly event that students can go to, socialize and meet new people.
Freshman Jaci Gardner said she came to Late Nite to make a frisbee, but stayed to enjoy the other activities. She attended the Late Nite preview on August 19. Although the lines were long, she said she had a good time. Her favorite activity was the mechanical bull.
"I was addicted to it at my high school's after-prom," Gardner said.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council co-sponsored "Welcome Back" Late Nite by running activities such as Cornhole and Karaoke in Cardinal Hall, located on the second floor of the Student Center. NPHC is the governing body for sororities and fraternities, and it decided co-sponsoring Late Nite would be a great way to get sorority names out since recruitment was coming up, Jackie Dulian, council member, said.
"We like to be involved in different events around campus," she said.
There are two main ways people can co-sponsor Late Nite; they can send over volunteers to do an activity, or they can run the entire Cardinal Hall. Outside sponsors may donate or offer discounts to Late Nite and in return they receive free advertising. One common sponsor is Domino's Pizza, which provides prizes and discounted pizza to various Late Nite events.
Freshman Cody Ramos attended Late Nite with Phi Delta Theta fraternity brothers. Ramos, who had never attended a Late Nite event before, said he would attend more in the future. A fan of the karaoke, Ramos said he enjoyed the Phi-Delta Theta brothers joining with Kappa-Delta sorority to make music groups called the "Side Street Boys" and "Girl Spice."
Every Late Nite event offers free food, games, a movie, arts and crafts, Xtreme bowling, music and other activities that vary depending on the theme. Every Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Late Nite allows students a chance to be in a fun alcohol-free environment, Inman said. Late Nite is typically located in the Student Center. Entrance is free with a Ball State ID, and for $5, students may bring guests who are more than eighteen years old or a sibling.
Late Nite, which was previously funded by a four-year Lilly Grant, is now university funded. Starting out as a monthly program, Late Nite ran almost every weekend for the past three years. However, this is the first year it will be held every weekend the University is open, including Fall Break and Labor Day.
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