Erin KillionAs Ole Miss Homecoming Week continues, some students look forward to Everybody’s Formal. Almost 1,500 students attended the first event in 2016, but only 69 have marked themselves as “going” this year on Facebook.
The event, hosted by the Associated Student Body, was started in 2016 to give students who are not involved in a Greek organization or the honors college a chance to attend a formal dance event.
In previous years, the event has received social media attention from various campus groups, but both ASB’s Twitter and Facebook haven’t featured the scale of past marketing pushes.
For the first time, admission for Everybody’s Formal requires only a student ID. A ticket, which could be obtained for free from the university box office, was required for entry the first three years.
Leah Timmons, a freshman chemical engineering student, said she does not plan on attending this year for multiple reasons.
“I made plans to do other stuff with people because no one sent out the dates or anything, really,” Timmons said. “Also, I really don’t know anyone who is actually going.”
The event also does not appear on The Lyric Oxford’s calendar on its website, and the ASB website does not have updated information about this year’s event. The only information for Everybody’s Formal can be found on Facebook.
“There are so many things going on, but (ASB social media accounts) only mention it like one time and there aren’t really any posters or anything,” Timmons said.
According to Jessica Shipp, director of Everybody’s Formal, attendance at the event has increased each year.
“Each year, more and more people attend and we hope to see an even larger crowd this year,” Shipp said.
Shipp said that the event is all about inclusion.
“We wanted to provide an opportunity for all students to experience a formal in a welcoming environment at no cost,” Shipp said.
Amy Rhodes, a sophomore French and international studies major, attended Everybody’s Formal last year as a freshman.
“It was the first formal I really got the chance to go to,” Rhodes said. “I didn’t rush so I thought it would be a fun way to still get to go to a formal.”
Maggie Jefferis, a freshman public policy leadership major, said that although she cannot attend this year, she liked the idea of the event.
“I really enjoy getting ready and dressing up for formals as well as attending,” Jefferis said. “I think Everybody’s Formal is a great way for non-Greek students to get to attend a formal.”
According to ASB Executive Council meetings minutes from Sept. 11, the event committee was still trying to find sponsors during that meeting.
Tyler Hajek, a member of the sponsorship team for Everybody’s Formal, said the event has sponsors who donate money and other goods, which make the event free for students.
“We have College Panhellenic, Kappa Sigma, Fraternal Leadership and Learning, men’s basketball team and Division of Student Affairs as sponsors,” Hajek said. “We have many other businesses, restaurants, and fraternities and sororities that have donated money and other goods.”
Everybody’s Formal will take place at The Lyric Oxford this Thursday at 8 p.m., and transportation will be provided from the Jackson Avenue Center, according to the event’s Facebook page.
