The Howl
Ripe with alcohol- and sex-laced rumors and a reputation that makes the typical USU student blush, the Howl, USU’s premier student activity, is Utah’s largest Halloween party – now on the eve of its 26th occurrence.
Organized by the Student Activities Board (STAB) in 1978 as a free campus Halloween party and costume contest, the Howl started small.
Randy Jenson, assistant director of Career Services was the STAB director for 12 years. Beginning his position in 1980, Jensen said he remembers watching the howl evolve into the huge party it’s become.
“I remember in 1983 we had 1,500 attendees and for us at that time that was a big event,” Jensen said. “For that to explode to what it’s become today is absolutely incredible. But what really started happening was our student officers invited officers from other schools to come and see the event Then after that it was just word of mouth – I mean we didn’t even advertise to other schools – and people just started coming.”
By 1986 and 1987, in order to accommodate for the growing number of student attendees, STAB began booking live entertainment, including comedians, rock bands and hypnotists. By the early 1990s, the Howl ballooned into an all-state college party.
“In 1992-93 there must have been almost 10,000 people,” Jensen said. “I mean, it was wall to wall, no one could even move. I can’t imagine it was really that terribly fun – it felt like you were in a sardine can.”
As the Howl began to grow, safety became a major concern. Alcohol was also a problem.
“We discovered pre-Howl parties -people getting wasted before arriving,” Jensen said. “From that point on there seemed to always be alcohol-related arrests.”
Current STAB director Tiffany Evans said alcohol is still a major issue and encourages students to be cautious and responsible when it comes to the Howl and other student activities.
“We have a high number of students that misuse and abuse alcohol that evening,” Evans said, speaking of the Howl. “Be smart. Take care of one another and watch out for your friends. We would hate for a fun night like that to end in tragedy.”
In 1997, the Ballroom in the Taggart Student Center was completed and the USU fire marshall capped the capacity for the student center and the Nelson Fieldhouse at 6,500.
Regardless of the attendance restrictions, the Howl still attracts thousands of non-USU students to come and participate. In 2002, nearly 50% of the 6500 attendees were non-USU students.
“Most other schools in Utah don’t even try to compete,” said Kristen Marshall, ASUSU special projects coordinator. “In fact, most campuses have their Halloween activities on a different day and put the Howl on their activity calendar.”
Part of the appeal to students outside USU is the reputation the Howl has. It’s known state wide as a wild costume showcase, where almost anything goes.
“Lets face it, most of the students at USU drink less, smoke less and go to church more than most college students,” Evans said. “But close to 50 percent of the Howl attendees come from other places – so yes, some of the costumes might not be in our students’ norms.”
“It’s funny,” Jensen said. “I remember the wildest costumes coming from BYU students.”
Whitney Russler, a senior majoring in public relations, said she went two years ago and felt uncomfortable.
“Its one big-excuse-to-be-naked fest,” Russler said. “It was disgusting. I went as a boy basketball player, then I get there and all the girls are dressed as sluts – I must have missed the memo.”
STAB advisor Nick Robbins, who’s working his fourth year with the Howl, said, since he’s been involved, no one has been turned away for inappropriate costumes.
“This is a public institution, so we can’t put a mandate on what can and can’t be worn,” Robbins said. “As long as it [costume] doesn’t break the law or isn’t disgustingly obscene, we won’t turn anyone away.”
Costumes that have shocked people in the past include a walking box of Trojan condoms, Victoria Secrete angels, Chip ‘N’ Dale dancers and a guy dressed only in Saran Wrap underwear.
Evans said that while alcohol and scantily dressed party-goes are definitely a part of the Howl experience, they don’t make up the majority of its attendees.
“I’ve heard comments from students that think everyone [at the Howl] is intoxicated or dressed inappropriately. But that just isn’t true,” Evans said. “I think there are some people that do push the envelope but the majority doesn’t.”
Kara Singleton, a sophomore majoring in graphic design, said she went to the Howl last year and thought it was a lot of fun, but said she has friends think of the Howl differently
“I was with a group of friends and we were talking about what we could do this weekend,” Singleton said. “I suggested the Howl and one of my friends said that she thought we should do something less trashy. I didn’t think it was that trashy last year. But then again, you can always find trash if you look for it.”
Brandon Tilotson, a junior majoring in flight technology and a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, said he’s excited to go to the Howl on Saturday and looks forward to it every year.
“The Howl’s a big deal for us [Sigma Chi]. Once it shuts down for the night, the party tends to carry itself over to the [fraternity] house,” Tilotson said. “I mean it’s the Halloween party to be at; everyone should be there. If your doing something else that night in Logan, let me know what it is ’cause it better be fun if you’re passing up the Howl.”
For anyone thinking about not going to the Howl this Saturday on the basis of rumors, Evans offered a challenge.
“If you haven’t attended before and have heard all about the folklore, I challenge you to attend and have an open mind. I think every student should go – at least a couple of times.”
-jacksaunders@cc.usu.edu
1994 (Statesman archive)
1992 (Statesman archive)
1993 (Statesman archive)
1990 (Statesman archive)