New Howl changes discussed

Members of the ASUSU Executive Council discussed possible negative and positive outcomes Tuesday that may occur because of recent changes made to the Howl.

For the first time in 25 years, only Utah State University students will be allowed to purchase tickets in advance for the popular Halloween party. USU students will be able to purchase two tickets at the student rate of $10 and three tickets at $20 for friends who do not attend the university.

“[The programming committee] wanted to find a way to regulate the Howl more and cater to Utah State students,” Holly Scott, ASUSU public relations director, said.

In years past, only about 44 percent of the people who attended the Howl were USU students, Tiffany Evans, director of Student Involvement and Leadership, said.

“The problems that arise from the Howl are caused by students that aren’t from Utah State,” Evans said. “It has a horrible reputation.”

However, Justin Atkinson, student advocate vice president, said many students have addressed concerns about the changes to the Howl and feels that the activity should be open to everyone, not just USU students.

“There is going to be a large scalping issue,” Atkinson said.

Josh Wood, campus diversity and organizations vice president, said many USU students like the fact that students come from other universities throughout Utah and that is the reason many of them come to the Howl.

But Nathan Putnam, executive vice president, said he has been involved with security for the activity for the past three years and knows the problems that go on.

Last year, USU campus police arrested 16 people and most of them were minors in possession of alcohol. This number has more than doubled in number since last year’s arrests at the same party, according to police.

Putnam advised the council to trust in the judgment of Programming Vice President Laurel Evans, who is in charge of this year’s Howl and the rest of the programming committee.

The committee will evaluate how the Howl goes with its new changes and accommodate as needed for years to come.

-mmackay@cc.usu.edu