Winter ball gets strict on dress code

The annual winter formal provides a distinct venue for students attending Florida A&M University.

“It’s the most beautiful I’ve ever seen the Grand Ballroom before,” said Candice Elliott, 2o, a junior political science student from Orlando, about the 2005 winter formal.

This year the winter formal will be held on Feb. 4 in the Grand Ballroom from 8-12 p.m. Formal attire is required for the event and the theme colors are Ivory and Gold.

“Winter Wonderland” is the theme for the 2006 winter formal.

Coordinated by Khare Hawkins, the event will feature a live band, a DJ, refreshments and a photographer.

“The winter formal is a tradition when it comes to FAMU. It’s a prestigious event like a college prom,” said Hawkins, a junior business administration student from Orlando.

Unlike the high school prom the winter formal is free to all FAMU students, but attire will be strictly enforced.

“If you have on sneakers or jeans you won’t be getting in,” Hawkins said.

Dress code has been a serious issue for this event in the past.

“There would be a much better turnout if students didn’t have to wear formal attire,” Elliot said.

Other students think that the dress code is what makes the event an attraction.

Andrew Collins, a sophomore business administration student from Atlanta, said that he liked it because it was another opportunity to get dressed up.

There will be new additions featured at the 2006 formal. Hawkins has taken on the task of personally making all decorations.

Utilizing black business the event will feature refreshments from heavenly catering and a cake designed by Tiki Suarez, a professor in the School of Business and Industry.

Also helping with the event will be student volunteers and the host bureau, which is the task force for the department of state. Still, some students believe that the winter formal hasn’t been publicized well enough.

Although, students have had concerns about publicity this year the planners of the winter formal have utilized many outlets including WANM 90.5, lanyards, flyers, The Famuan and The Tallahassee Democrat.

The winter formal is definitely a tradition on FAMU’s campus.

With innovative methods of publicity in place, the organizers of the event are looking forward to more students attending than in the past years.

This free event requires no ticket and students are encouraged to support the event and see how their activities and service dollars are being spent.

Contact La Toya Russell at lsrussell@hotmail.com