What the Howl?
Howl coordinators are working to make sure USU’s yearly tradition is as big and exciting as ever while also helping ensure it’s an event that anyone will be comfortable attending.
“You have to come try it,” USU Leadership and Activities Coordinator Matthew Leituala said. “We’re doing things different; we’re doing a better job.” USU Programming VP Tabbi Perkins said.
Last year’s Howl brought many changes to both the sale of tickets and the activities at the event, and this year has brought new changes.
Breanne Davis, USU activities director, said this year students can get two tickets with a student ID for $10 each and they can purchase an additional six tickets for non-USU students at $20 each. These prices are valid through Friday, Oct. 27, the day before the Howl.
On the day of, Saturday, Oct. 28, tickets will be open and available to anyone over the age of 18. That day they can be purchased in the TSC until 6 p.m. at $15 a ticket for USU students and $25 a ticket for anyone else. Davis said, “We can’t do door sales because of problems in the past, but we’ve tried to compromise so students can invite their friends and people the day of can buy tickets.”
Davis gave a quick run-down of the Howl’s events, which begin Saturday, Oct. 28. at 8 p.m. and goes until 1 a.m.
The events will include flame throwers in the B parking lot to entertain people in line waiting to get in, blow-up toys and a country swing DJ in the Fieldhouse, carnival games and bands, including Fender Benders and Love You Long Time, in the Hub, a magician in the TSC Auditorium, bands in the Walnut Room, including The Trademark and Bleary, open dancing and bands in the lounges, including Summer Obsession, Forgive Durden (who just got off the Warped Tour), Nothing Ever Stays and Steve Vs. Evan, a hip hop Top 40 disc jockey in the Ballroom with a light show and movies, like “Hocus Pocus” and “Ghostbusters” in the Skyroom.
No weapons, alcohol, masks or props are allowed, and Davis said generally offensive dress will not be admitted, giving the guideline, “If you would get in trouble for walking down the street in it, you won’t be let into the Howl.” Logan City and university police will be at the doors to monitor those guidelines.
All proceeds from the Howl go back to the university for the rest of STAB activities this year. This includes Mardi Gras, STAB movies and any other STAB-hosted activities. Perkins said this is an investment for the students to get free activities during the rest of the year.
STAB directors and activities chairpersons are calling it “the new and improved Howl.” Perkins said, “This is my third year working with the Howl. I definitely think last year there were a lot less students, but we also had a lot less problems. We’ve fought for what the students need and to get more activities there and just make it a big fun party. We really want the students to come out, and to those that haven’t come in the past, we want them to know that this is the new and improved Howl.”
Whitney Doe, a Howl chair, said, “Last year we tried initiating more activities. For a while, the Howl had the reputation of being a scary dance party, and we kind of wanted to get away from that. But tradition isn’t something you can change in one year. Last year was the beginning of a process. This year we’ve added something different for everyone with different wants and styles. [Now] you can find something for you to enjoy no matter who you are.”
Davis said “We have planned a variety of activities to try to appeal to more Utah State students. We’ve heard it’s the same every year and not fun, so we’re trying to do new things to have something for everyone.” Leituala said that last year was what the school needed to prepare for the changes this year, and this year will prepare it for the progress of next year. Perkins said it’s hard to make changes because anytime it is done, there is resistance, but that they think the changes will be worth it.
Leituala has started STAB on a three-year plan to improve the Howl. He said the goal of the plan is to work together with all diverse groups for the majority of the students. “We want it to be a fun party, not just the biggest party that isn’t fun.” Leituala said the three-year plan will take some of the people under this year’s leadership to pick up where this year will leave off.
“We’re taking some chances and we’re ready to deal with it, and in three years, I believe we will have more people in attendance than in the past. You can change the image and still make the money we need to fund student activities, and this is the first year we’re trying both. I’m ready to lose those 2,300 students from last year to gain 4,500 of our own students in the next few years.
“We’re welcoming other students from other universities, but our students are the ones paying for it, so we want them to get the benefits. A greater number of our students want a cleaner event, so we’re trying to make changes to meet that need. We want to create an activity where students of all different groups would be comfortable and have a good time.”
Perkins said that everyone’s welcome this year, but that they want to remind Utah State students that the party is being thrown for them, not for Provo or Salt Lake.
Doe said, “The thing I’m most excited about is that we’re trying something different to reach more students. In the past, the Howl has had certain traditions, and knowing that we’re trying to cater to the students now, it will be exciting to see how things will turn out differently and see what we can work on to make it even better next year.”
-msorensen@cc.usu.edu