Every year, SUNY Purchase hosts a number of parties at its 24-hour party factory, The Stood. These parties are used to aid the college students in unwinding and socializing, helping them to better come to know the student body that they have become immersed in.

Of course, there are numerous activities that are intended to facilitate this socialization, such as club fairs, movie nights, and other occasions, however, none of these events bring the community together to such a remarkable extent as the parties that take place in The Stood. Every year there needs to be some way to initiate these grand swarrays. This commencement is known to the students as The Jump Off.

The Jump Off is an opportunity for students to dance, listen to music, and generally be together for the sake of pure enjoyment. This year’s celebrations are to feature DJ New York as the main entertainment for the night. As students are preparing to dance the night away I managed to get a few words with some students as to what was expected of a massive party to commemorate the start of the school year. The three students that I spoke with all agreed that The Jump Off was a sort of respite from the difficulties of adjusting to school after a summer off. One of the students, named Wisdom, also commented in relevance to The Jump Off that “it’s just about meeting with people and having a good time.”

At the dawn of the night there wasn’t much going on. There were people mingling, talking, and simply being together, however, when the night becomes the early morning, the party goers emerge from their not exactly cavernous dormitory retreats. People do not have to merely dance or talk, contrary to the usual modus operandi of the college party.

Students were presented with the option of playing pool, dancing, intermingling, or possibly even sitting about The Stood listening to the music. The Stood is furnished with numerous couches, benches, and chairs for one to relax on after a tiring experience of dancing or to relax on whilst conversing with friends both new and old. Once the building starts to fill up, it is the perfect place to let loose and simply enjoy oneself among one’s peers.

This party in particular marks a year’s beginning in addition to marking the coming about of new things in general, whether it be new classes, new friends, or even, perhaps, a new you. Who better to reign in a celebration of newness than DJ New York, who, while having performed at Purchase College before, is making his debut at the biggest venue on campus, The Stood. Overall this party is a marker that the year is off to a vivacious and memorable start for all of the students at Purchase.