10/10 is an annual party at Grinnell College that celebrates Grinnell's long tradition of large parties, and thus campus unity. Originally conceived and executed in 1997 by Nate White '00, the primary goal was to bridge the symbolic border drawn by 8th Avenue in order to bring North Campus and South Campus revelers together for one grand celebration. At the time, the existing all-campus bacchanals were understood by students to have geographic affiliations (Alice in Wonderland = South Campus; Relays, Dionysus = North Campus). 10/10 was to be a party for everyone to attend. In the following years other students have risen to the occasion to keep the tradition alive.
The success of these endeavors in unequivocal, with attendance of the All-Campus Shot at midnight often reaching 700 students, over half of the student body. Professors, administrators, and members of the community have also been known to attend. The celebration is so named because it occurs on 10 October, the day student workers at the college receive their first paycheck. However, today, the event is held on the weekend following this date, and is occasionally combined with Alice in Wonderland to make a large weekend of partying.
In recent years, the administration has unsuccessfully tried put an end to the party.
Progressive Drinking Party edit
Until recently, Grinnell College had lax rules regarding the consumption of alcohol (by American standards), of which 10/10 was a celebration. The party took the form of a "progressive drinking party" (or "PDP"), a somewhat common form of party at Grinnell, in which partiers would gather at one location, and drink a keg there. Then the party would progress (with the announcement, "We're progressing!" which attendees would repeat joyously) to a new location, and so on.
10/10 is the supreme PDP at Grinnell. In years past, 10/10 would start as a 420 party on top of Main Loggia, and then temporarily break up for dinner. The party would reconvene thereafter at another South Campus dormitory, such as Loose Hall, and then progress to North Campus. Typically, the party would continue at Norris Hall, and then work its way back south, stopping at one or more intermediate North Campus dormitories, such as Dibble, Gates Tower, and Rawson. Its final stop on North Campus would be Younker Hall, the southernmost dormitory on North Campus.
The Harris Center is deliberately avoided.
10/10 reaches its climax with the All-Campus Shot at midnight was held at the at the Forum in years past; however, it is now held at the JRC, the new campus center. Prepared by organizers beforehand, partiers are greeted with the sight of several hundred shots of very cheap liquor on Mac Field. By this time, the party has attracted its largest numbers, and many people who are either uninterested in 10/10 or have other things to do that night will attend the All-Campus Shot. Unofficial estimates of attendance of this event give figures of 600-700 people present at midnight. The crowd will jubilantly count down to midnight and take the shot in unison. There is a moment of silence, and then cheering as partiers throw their plastic shot glasses up into the air.
The party will then progress to Gardner Lounge or an off-campus location, where there is live music. The day that follows is usually quite subdued.
Rescue Dogs edit
The event itself is organized by a small group of students and traditionally these students and many of their friends take on the role of "Rescue dogs", historically referred to as the "Karma Patrol". These students will wear a self-designed costume, and carry a backpack filled with treats for attendees, such as snacks, water, condoms, and alcohol. It is not uncommon for a Rescue Dog to remove the bladder from a box of wine, and wear it across their chest, so as to "breast-feed" wine to party-attendees. Rescue Dogs will also carry joints with them, to smoke with small groups of students. A gathering devoted to rolling the joints that will be shared typically occurs several days before the event.
Prior to 2005, Rescue Dogs were referred to collectively as the "Karma Patrol."
Controversy edit
2000-2001, several freshman, and one prospective student, were hospitalized in a short span of time for alcohol poisoning, though this did not occur at 10/10 itself. In response -- coinciding with the reembracing of in loco parentis that accompanied the Bush administration -- the administration, particularly Jen Krohn, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, introduced a new alcohol policy and several new restrictions on alcohol consumption at Grinnell, such as wristbands and a limit of only one keg allowed open at any time. Furthermore, in 2002 Jen Krohn organized an alcohol-free event at the Forum, at the same time when the All-Campus Shot was to occur. Students were observed running into the Forum, screaming, "Join us!" and running back out.
The administration's actions did not put an end to 10/10, however. Rather, as the crowd around the single keg of beer has become intolerably large, students have taken to bringing along their own supplies. However, campus unity has not been dented.
10/10 Today edit
Following their recent construction, 10/10, as well as other PDPs, has visited the new East Campus dormitories. In years past, the party has started on South, progressed North, and then back South. Recently, however, the party has become somewhat more linear, now starting in the far north in Norris Hall, and moving progressively South through Gates, Younker, Loose, Gardener, and then on to High Street.
Important Figures edit
- Nate White '00 (founder)
- Ben Weiss
- Jen Krohn
- Russell K. Osgood