This semester, the Hillsdale Student Federation will host an Awkward Prom for the entire campus.
They are hosting the dance as a way to give back to campus, Student Fed officials said. They have yet to determine a date for the dance, but intend to discuss dates at their next meeting.
“We wanted to do something to benefit the student body at large. Currently, we only help people that come to us,” said Student Fed President junior David Whilhelmsen.
The only students who reap the benefits of the money in the Student Fed budget are those who are part of clubs that ask for the money treasurer junior Chelsea Goodale said.
Whilhelmsen explained that Student Fed used to hold large dances for the campus, but that has not been done for years.
Student Fed secretary junior Mackenzie Price said that many homeschooled Hillsdale students, including Goodale, never had a prom, and they are giving these students a chance to attend one.
Goodale also discussed that many students do not know what Student Fed does, or if they do, the scoff and think Student Fed is useless. This dance is an opportunity for students to see a different side of the organization.
Student Fed is hoping to hold the event at the Dawn Theater. There, a contest will be held for Hillsdale’s most awkward man and woman, said Whilhelmsen.
Why awkward?
“Hillsdale dances are typically pretty awkward, but this will be the grand-daddy of them all,” senior Cory Flint, Student Fed representative said.
Some Student Fed representatives had other opinions.
“Great idea,” junior Garrett Holt said. “Who doesn’t want to relive that horrible few hours where you hide in the bathroom and cry yourself to sleep afterwards.”
Despite previous bad memories of prom, Whilhelmsen said this prom will be big and fun and awkward.
“It’s your money,” Goodale said, “and it’s silly that most students don’t see that back.”
However, there are some students who do not believe the dance is the best use of Student Fed funds.
Last November, senior Alex Tiren, director of Shakespeare in the Arb, requested funding but was denied because they were not an official club on campus. He said he was unaware of that policy when he made the proposal.
“I understand – they can’t toss out money left and right without sanction from the college,” he said, “but Shakespeare in the Arb has been around for at least the four years I’ve been here.”
He admitted he was biased, but would prefer to see the money go to other programs rather than another dance.
“The President’s Ball and Garden Party are already substitutes for an awkward prom,” Tiren said.
Sophomore Chris Pandolfo agreed that another dance is not an ideal use of Student Fed’s money.
“Awkward Prom is stupid – have a Sadie Hawkins dance,” Pandolfo said.
He also pointed out that there are very few students at Hillsdale College who are involved in a club, or reap the benefits of events put on by campus organizations that receive funding from Student Fed.
“That being said, I think it is a good idea for them to give back to people who don’t do anything,” Pandolfo said.
He suggested Student Fed fund a “Braveheart-style paintball brawl.”