All Hype, No Hedonism

To many a gossiper’s dismay, Mather’s “Decadenza” failed to live up to its lecherous and depraved advertisements. In fact, there was more excitement in the onslaught of vicious Mather-open e-mails slamming the neon ads for the dance that promised free entrance for first-year females than in the dance itself.

In addition to posters, an e-mail about the dance (subject line: Orgy) originally read, “ALL ROMAN VESTAL VIRGINS (Freshman Girls) will be allowed to partake of the festivities without charge (free)!! MUHAHAHAHAHAHA.” Shortly after, complaints from Mather residents elicited apologies from House Committee (HoCo) Co-Chair Emerson G. Farrell ’03. In part, his e-mail to the House read, “The topic of ‘freshman girls free’ was one which was done amidst the greater context of a goofy theme; standing alone, the policy would certainly be inappropriate.” A revised e-mail invitation offered a tongue-in-cheek apology and added, “That other special deal is also still in effect.” HoCo Co-Chair Angie Sun ’03, though not personally offended by the idea, says she “can definitely acknowledge that there was something wrong about it.” But she says the debate on the Mather e-mail list reassured her that Mather residents are not totally indifferent to activities in the House. “[It] was one of the best things that could have happened, even though it came out of something negative,” Sun says.

Good to their somewhat degrading word, HoCo chairs checked each first-year girl’s ID as she entered the dance, crossing her name off their list. This extra step caused a small line to form as many finished pre-gaming and tried to push their way in around midnight. Two stoic police officers regulated while the HoCo frantically tried to make sure each person was paying—or not paying—the correct amount. Girls standing in line took stock of each other’s outfits, whispering cattily to their friends when spying a particularly heinous ensemble. Guys, some surreptitiously, others not so much, eyed the female contingent with interest. Glitter and sequins were out in full force, adorning tiny tank tops, suction-tight pants and intricately made-up eyes. For the males, jeans and button-downs were standard, though a few took the dance’s Greek theme to heart. Wrapped in a white sheet masquerading as a toga, Jesse M. Burros ’05 gave his take on all the fuss. “Have you seen the freshman girls?” he exclaimed. “Why shouldn’t they be free? They’re hot!” The interview was cut short as Burros had a minor epiphany: “Why am I talking to an FM reporter? I’m in a fucking toga!”

First-year women at the dance seemed unconcerned by their apparent objectification. Though Aida Causevic ’05 said the original e-mail made her feel “trashy,” she came because the HoCo acted to correct its mistake. “It was definitely the apology e-mail,” she said. Sheria D. Smith ’05 took full advantage of the publicity stunt. “I’ve learned to capitalize for my own gain,” she said. “They let me in because they thought they could get with me but I had no intention. And I get to party for free!” Many others were of Smith’s mind. “The freshman girls thing, as much as it was a gimmick, did draw a lot of people,” said HoCo entryway rep Quentin L. Streets ’03. According to HoCo Treasurer Paul H. Hersh ’04, over 450 students attended the dance.

Despite the controversy surrounding “Decadenza,” the mood Saturday night was less sexually charged than generically Harvard. Blissfully ignorant of their lack of rhythm, girls and guys gyrated stiffly to the sounds of Ja Rule, J. Lo and other J-prefixed pop/rap superstars. First-years outnumbered upperclassmen by far and, by all accounts, the night was fairly tame. So much for decadence.