2008 Woodie Awards
Virgin Party should be on fraternity's property, ATO insists
Laura Schwartzman
Issue date: 4/18/07 Section: News
Alpha Tau Omega members rejected a College Park City Council suggestion to hold the fraternity's annual "Virgin Party" charity event on the city hall parking lot after council members expressed concern the proposed location could raise community concerns.
The fraternity had asked permission to hold the party, which includes a concert and an expected 1,500 to 2,000 guests, on their 4611 College Ave. property. But city officials last night, citing noise and traffic problems, said the fraternity should move the party out of the neighborhood and closer to Route 1, farther from residences.
The party, dubbed "Virgin" for its absence of alcoholic beverages, will feature pop-rock group Sister Hazel and run from noon until dusk, which raised concerns about noise. But because the party is held in daylight, Director of Public Services Bob Ryan told council members the party is traditionally a "good town-gown mixture type of event" that draws both residents and students.
Council members made no decision last night on whether to waive noise ordinances to allow the party but appeared open to the option, in part because the fraternity usually raises about $10,000 a year for charity. This year, however, the party has gained increased attention for the well-known Sister Hazel booking, and Virgin Party chairman and ATO member Jon Kava said the charity goal was raised to $30,000.
"We've already raised $18,000 before ticket sales," said Jon Kava, chairman of the Virgin Party for ATO. "We use this event to reach out to the campus and the surrounding community, and hope to reach out in the future to as many people as possible."
This year, ATO will donate proceeds to the HERO Campaign against drunken driving, Kava said.
In order to not disturb neighbors, College Park Mayor Stephen Brayman said the community should be made aware of the event beforehand with flyering, and District 3 Councilwoman Stephanie Stullich offered to e-mail the Old Town Civic Association to encourage dialogue about concerns.
Stullich also asked if the music would have questionable content.
"Pop, rock," Kavak answered. "I would say pretty PG. No parental advisories."
Traffic issues were mentioned in a letter to the mayor and city council from Ryan, who wrote that traffic on Hopkins and College Avenues may be disrupted if the party is held at the ATO property.
The non-alcoholic April 29 event, held after Maryland Day, will feature a luau theme with barbeque, virgin tropical cocktails, a moonbounce, dunk tanks and inflatable jousting.
Since recolonizing in 1999, the Epsilon Gamma chapter of ATO has won the President's Cup given by univeristy President Dan Mote from 2003 through 2005.
Contact reporter Laura Schwartzman at schwartzmandbk@gmail.com.
The fraternity had asked permission to hold the party, which includes a concert and an expected 1,500 to 2,000 guests, on their 4611 College Ave. property. But city officials last night, citing noise and traffic problems, said the fraternity should move the party out of the neighborhood and closer to Route 1, farther from residences.
The party, dubbed "Virgin" for its absence of alcoholic beverages, will feature pop-rock group Sister Hazel and run from noon until dusk, which raised concerns about noise. But because the party is held in daylight, Director of Public Services Bob Ryan told council members the party is traditionally a "good town-gown mixture type of event" that draws both residents and students.
Council members made no decision last night on whether to waive noise ordinances to allow the party but appeared open to the option, in part because the fraternity usually raises about $10,000 a year for charity. This year, however, the party has gained increased attention for the well-known Sister Hazel booking, and Virgin Party chairman and ATO member Jon Kava said the charity goal was raised to $30,000.
"We've already raised $18,000 before ticket sales," said Jon Kava, chairman of the Virgin Party for ATO. "We use this event to reach out to the campus and the surrounding community, and hope to reach out in the future to as many people as possible."
This year, ATO will donate proceeds to the HERO Campaign against drunken driving, Kava said.
In order to not disturb neighbors, College Park Mayor Stephen Brayman said the community should be made aware of the event beforehand with flyering, and District 3 Councilwoman Stephanie Stullich offered to e-mail the Old Town Civic Association to encourage dialogue about concerns.
Stullich also asked if the music would have questionable content.
"Pop, rock," Kavak answered. "I would say pretty PG. No parental advisories."
Traffic issues were mentioned in a letter to the mayor and city council from Ryan, who wrote that traffic on Hopkins and College Avenues may be disrupted if the party is held at the ATO property.
The non-alcoholic April 29 event, held after Maryland Day, will feature a luau theme with barbeque, virgin tropical cocktails, a moonbounce, dunk tanks and inflatable jousting.
Since recolonizing in 1999, the Epsilon Gamma chapter of ATO has won the President's Cup given by univeristy President Dan Mote from 2003 through 2005.
Contact reporter Laura Schwartzman at schwartzmandbk@gmail.com.
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