HOUSEPARTY 101

When Friday rolls around, books are thrown aside and exams are forgotten. Planning and organization are the last things weekend partiers are worried about. But for the ones actually hosting the big, gotta-be-there bash, it's important to keep clear heads on their shoulders.\nThrowing a truly kick-ass house party requires planning, dedication and preparation -- things normally reserved for acing an exam or writing a research paper. And as long as college has had exams and reports to stress about, the house party has been a way to unwind, as well as a permanent fixture of the college social scene. And when planning a big bash, going all-out is the only way to do it right. \nSenior D'Eant'e Tolliver has been planning a joint birthday bash for himself and his buddy since January. \n"Our party is the Source Awards II: the Remix," Tolliver says, noting that they had the original party last year. "I'm gonna be Jay-Z, my favorite rapper. We're going to have the red carpet, a V.I.P. list and Thug's Passion." \nTolliver's "Thug's Passion" is his secret party brew, named after the Tupac song "Thug Passion." Unfortunately, the ingredients are top secret.\nBeyond personal mixes, liquor stores are the hot spots to stock up for a party. Senior Ashley Megonigle, an employee at Big Red Liquors, says party hosts buy a variety of drinks besides the common keg of Bud Light. \n"Vanilla vodka and vanilla rum are very popular," Megonigle says. "Also Kamchatka (vodka) is just $9.99 for a handle, which is ridiculous." \nOther popular bargains at Big Red are the case of "stones," or Keystone Light, which provides 30 beers for just $12.99, as well as a keg of Honey Brown at just $65.99. Also, Megonigle says Everclear or other grain alcohols make for a good party. \nSenior Sean Miller says Jägermeister is always a hit at his parties.\n"We have a Jäger Machine, which makes three pints of Jäger ice cold," he says. "It's definitely a party favorite, everyone has to have at least one shot when they're here. Only problem is, it's usually gone before 1 a.m."\nNo matter what is being served, special care must be taken to make sure the party is not busted for noise or underage drinking. Indiana University Police Department Sergeant Don Schmuhl says there are certain things you can do to minimize the risk. \n"If someone is going to have a party, use common sense," Schmuhl suggests. "Keep the party indoors and don't serve to people underage."\nOnce the police show up, it doesn't necessarily mean everyone underage will be cited for drinking and the party hosts will be arrested or issued expensive noise violations (the minimum fine in Bloomington for a noise violation is $50). Sometimes a mere slap on the wrist is the only penalty. \n"There are several differences," Schmuhl says. "If [the police] have calls backed up, or no time on a particular night, they won't stay too long." \nWith the new installation of "keg tracking," which requires the name of the purchaser to be posted on the keg, it is easier for police to track down who is responsible should any minors be found drinking from it. As a result, people have become more weary of supplying kegs for parties. They buy hundreds of canned beers instead. But Schmuhl notes that there have been very few arrests or fines as a result of the new keg tracking rule, though he expects enforcement to increase. \nWhile Schmuhl recommends anyone under 21 stay clear of alcohol at parties and other events, it's an unrealistic option for many underage students. Miller has had several run-ins with the cops over his four years at IU, and offers a bit of advice to underage party-goers. \n"I just run," he says. "Don't hold parties at your own house. Go to others so you aren't responsible. And if the cops come to break it up, run like the wind. Also, never go to the (Varsity) Villas, they always get busted." \nPerhaps the one fear party holders hold over anything else -- over cops, accidents and fights -- is the "sausage fest." For male hosts, nothing can kill a party faster than having too many guys and too few women. Aside from balancing the ratio, Tolliver says ladies bring a positive dynamic to the party. \n"Ladies make parties fun," he says. "They always come with a positive attitude and they just want to have fun and a good time. They sing, dance and most importantly they always appreciate R&B songs." \nDivisions among partiers or groups of uninvited guests can also cause trouble at an otherwise good bash.\n"I like parties when they're not cliquey," says senior Susan Bebenroth. "When it's all chill, everyone is nice and just says 'hey' and is treated equally."\nOf course, any good party will eventually receive a visit from random "sketch balls;" guests who nobody in the house knows, and appear out of place. Schmuhl says precaution should be taken to avoid this situation. \n"I'd recommend if you don't know who they are, don't let them in," Schmuhl says. "Know who's coming and know everyone there."\nTolliver has his own plan to avoid unwanted guests.\n"We're having a list," he says. "No randoms. It will discourage the sketchiness. Also, everyone coming must be of-age." \nThemes are another way of turning a typical house party into a special event. Senior Dayna Yonkoski remembers one theme party which was a change of pace to the normal party scene.\n"I went to a black tie, formal party last year," she says. "It was a good change of pace. It was also cool to see how some people acted differently, more formal, and then some just acted the same as any normal party. It's interesting to see the college lifestyle mix with a more formal, elegant party." \nWith the end of the year right around the corner, there are fewer weekends to plan that perfect final bash of the year. Miller is already working on some ideas with his roommates as to what their next fiesta will be. \n"We've got some things in the works," he notes. "We're gonna try and have a toga party, maybe a formal date party, some barbeques… who knows, but we're seniors and this is it. We've gotta go balls out"