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NewsvineStudents from all over campus descended on the Quad last night to celebrate the annual Full Moon on the Quad. Whether out of respect for tradition, exhibitionist fantasy or simple curiosity, throngs of people came to celebrate what has become a prime event in many students’ time spent at Stanford.
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A breakdancing group performs onstage at last night's annual Full Moon on the Quad.
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Students show off the “Hello, my name is” stickers offered for this year’s festivities.
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PHEs serve mouthwash to cleanly participants.
As in years past, the evening’s festivities drew a broad range of students, some of whom participated in the free-spirited making out that has become synonymous with the event, as well as others who chose to socialize and observe.
“I’m curious as to what’s actually going to happen, and I want to experience it because I’m a freshman,” said Karla Martinez ‘11.
The University tried to accommodate both participants and observers. A “safe area” was set up in front of Memorial Church for those who were not interested in kissing, while Peer Health Educators (PHEs) supplied mouthwash for those who were.
“We really just want to encourage positive health and positive decision-making,” said PHE Mike Woodward ‘08, who worked the mouthwash booth at the event. “We want to encourage our residents to make good decisions.”
Like last year, several live bands provided entertainment for the event, lending it a concert-like feel. Performance groups included Ampersand, Pochama and Jidenna, whose members included Stanford undergrads, grad students, alumni and a few who had no affiliation with the University at all.
Security for the event was provided through a collaboration between the Stanford Police and Sheriff’s Departments as well as Campus Security. Though the event was designated to be alcohol-free and officers kept watch to spot drinking as it occurred, some students came to the event already intoxicated and others still managed to sneak alcohol past officials.
To help with safety and security, the group Stanford United for Eliminating Rape (SURE) set up a booth by the gate to provide its free 5-SURE safety escort to those who felt either uncomfortable or unable to make it back to their residence on their own.
“All of our drivers are trained to deal with both people who are drunk and single riders who request rides,” said SURE co-manager Andrea Romero ‘09. “We’re working to keep all Stanford students safe.”
The event’s prominence as a fixture of Stanford life was a draw for many students.
“Honestly, I find the tradition to be the only reason I’m going,” said Omar Smith ‘11. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t really be interested in such public eroticism. I actually think it’s kind of weird that so many people like that kind of public display.”
But the public display factor clearly motivated other students, as evidenced by the number of either partly or completely nude participants, covered in decorative body paint. At Columbae, one of the co-ops which regularly uses the event as an outlet for being creative with their nudity, residents and their friends held a group body-painting party prior to the night’s festivities.
“I’ve kind of been looking forward to it because we don’t really get to run around naked usually,” said Marie-Jo Mont-Reynaud, a resident of the Enchanted Broccoli Forest (EBF) who came to Columbae to be painted. “EBF isn’t quite as naked as the other co-ops.”
While most students use Full Moon on the Quad primarily as an excuse to cut loose and have fun, some say there is a possibility for long-term relationships to develop.
Sheppard Peng ‘08 said that while tradition was the main reason he attended the event, “there’s always a chance that you might meet that special someone.”
While Full Moon on the Quad generally brings together students from all over campus, some were not permitted to attend. Members of the Stanford football team, for example, were told not to go due to the risk of catching colds, flus and other illnesses.
“I wasn’t really going to participate, but I was going to check out the band,” said football player Thomas Keiser ‘11. “It makes sense, but I know some dudes were disappointed.”