While Spring Fling may not have enteredmost students’ consciousness until just recently, it has been a project in the works for almost five months. Widely anticipated by students as a day of partying following the last day of classes, Spring Fling, which will take place May 10, is shaping up to be more than just a party this year.

"We’re making it a carnival," said Butterfield Head Resident (HR) Frantz Alexis ’00. "It’s going to be pretty big and it should be fun."

In previous years, Spring Fling has been organized primarily by the Social Committee. This year, however, Residential Life and the HRs have decided to collaborate with the committee. 

"Last year we did WeStoneColdSober for our campus-wide program. This year, we decided we wanted to do something different," Alexis said.

The head residents are bringing their own budget of approximately $6,000 to the Spring Fling event, investing it in carnival games and rides.

According to Alexis, these attractions will include a moon bounce, a turbo slide, a boxing ring, a rock climbing wall and an extreme obstacle course. Alexis also promises caricature and henna tattoo artists, and the possibility of a campus picnic sponsored by Aramark.

"Our goal is to include as many people as possible. If we could get the entire campus [involved], that would be great," Alexis said. 

The Social Committee is very enthusiastic about the collaboration of the head residents.

"The Head Residents and the Social Committee have done a great job. Everything has been taken care of ahead of time, which is key," said WSA administrator Cari MacDermott.

Social Committee Chair Rachel Grashow ’00 has also been working to put together the musical events for Spring Fling.

"We’re focusing our theme on world music," Grashow said. "Right now we have two contracts, with Deadprez and Italis, but we’re in negotiations with Salsa, Bela Fleck and a troupe of West African dancers."

The musical diversity is evident in the Social Committee’s selections. Deadprez is a hip-hop band from New York, while Italis is a reggae group from Jamaica. A common question among some students is whether Spring Fling will also feature a well-known, mainstream band.

"We’re not having a headliner because we wanted to get the best music for our money," Grashow said.

According to Grashow, the Social Committee has already invested about $8,000 in the event. 

The Social Committee and the Head Residents have been working with the Administration throughout the planning process. Dean of Student Services Mike Whaley and Director of
Student Activities and Leadership Development Raj Bellami have been the most closely involved.

"The Administration thinks it’s going to be a very positive and good time for the students," Bellami said. "It is something that will build the campus community and the Administration is very supportive of that."

"It’s definitely a team effort," Alexis said. "We’re all putting our all into getting this done. It’s going to be great."