Organizers of the College of Design’s Halloween Bash are challenging the University’s alcohol policy after a Jan. 24 revision that may prevent the celebration from taking place.

While University administrators have implemented the changes to protect students from potential danger, according to the regulation, some design school students said they feel the regulations are disrupting an important tradition.

“It is a very important event because a big idea in the design school is the conglomeration of ideas and students coming together and creating as artists,” Patrick Murphy, a sophomore in industrial design, said. “Also, it is a great showcase for student work and an important tradition.”

The bash is a theme party planned and executed entirely by College of Design students. Organizers typically hold the event in the “pit” between Brooks and Kamphoefner Halls and it includes colossal decorations, costume contests and a band.

In the past, students have checked IDs at the door to the bash and have marked hands accordingly. On Halloween, of-age costumed students bring their own alcohol and the party begins.

As the bash has grown in popularity, more students have attended the work of the design students, but last year, problems arose because of over-capacity.

“There were people sneaking in, extra security had to be called in and some people who had purchased tickets had to be turned away,” Diana Fakhoury, a senior in art and design and head of the Design Council, said. “I estimate that we had about 1,500 people in attendance, which is way too many for that space.”

At a meeting of the Design Council on Wednesday afternoon, Fakhoury said despite the growth issues and the presence of alcohol, violence or misconduct have not been a problem. Students at the meeting agreed that the bash would not be the same if students did not have the freedom to drink.

“The studio crawl this past spring did not have the good vibes it has had in the previous years,” Jessica Frucht, a junior in art and design, said. “The presence of alcohol changes the nature of the event. It becomes less of something you have to go to for school and more of something lots of people want to go to for fun.”

According to the regulation, “no permission will be granted to serve, possess or consume alcohol at events held by students or student organizations or at University-sponsored events focused primarily on students or student groups.” Fakhoury said at the meeting the changes were a result of the 2004 tailgate shootings.The regulation requires anyone who wishes to ask for an exception to this rule receive approval from the chancellor.

The Design Council discussed the option of moving the bash off campus in response to the new regulation. That would be a more costly and difficult option for the college and would change the nature of the event as well, organizers said.

“If the bash is off campus, it’s a different event,” Hannah Whitaker, a senior in art and design, said. “There is a connection between the art and the place here that we should honor. Anything less is pointless and signifies the slow death of the essence of this event.”

Some students and faculty said they support an alcohol-free bash.

“I do sympathize with the chancellor,” Marvin Malecha, dean of the College of Design, said. “We think of ourselves as a family in the design school, so what is good for one part of our community is what is good for the whole. You shouldn’t make an allowance for a policy meant to protect the whole community. The students have every right to ask for a fair hearing, but they must be prepared to accept the outcome.”

Ultimately, the Design Council has decided to ask for an exception from the chancellor and is putting together a petition for keeping the bash on campus and sticking with a “bring your own beer” policy.

Although this will mean arranging a new on-campus venue because the pit is under construction, organizers said they believe the traditions surrounding the bash are important and hope they can find support for their cause in the University community.

“I do not think exceptions will be made,” Tom Stafford, vice chancellor for student affairs, said. “I cannot imagine a circumstance that would compel the chancellor or I to make an exception to the regulation.”

However, according to the regulation “changes or exceptions to administrative regulations issued by the chancellor may only be made by the chancellor.”