Hi ‘17,
We are writing to you today regarding the pending decision to drop financial and administrative support of Full Moon on the Quad. We are under no illusion that this is the most important or pressing issue on campus right now. However, because it was our responsibility to plan this year’s Full Moon, we feel we are in a position to share relevant knowledge with the class and respond to the common questions we’ve received.
What would pulling administrative and financial support mean?
Full Moon on the Quad is the best-known tradition on campus. It is the most attended non-sporting event for undergraduates with approximately 3,000 attendees this past year. Some students believe that FMOTQ can and will continue without university support. However, FMOTQ without university support will look incredibly different.
- Without university support, it is impossible to reserve the Quad. Without this reservation, any unsanctioned student gathering could immediately lead to the removal and punishment of participants.
- Without university support, Stanford Event Services will be unable to provide lighting to improve visibility or to provide tables for student groups, including PHEs, SHPRC, and HIV*PACT.
- Without university support, there will be no security provided for the event. People of any age and at any level of intoxication will be able to attend. This year, over 20 administrative officials, 5 EMTs, 16 police officers, and 40 sober monitors were present to ensure a safe and secure environment.
- Without university support, it would be difficult to acquire the necessary funding to provide food, public safety officers, sound equipment, consent-based publicity, and other essential measures for an event of this scale. This past year, Full Moon cost $20,518.04.
What value does FMOTQ bring to Stanford?
- FMOTQ is an event that is uniquely Stanford. As a tradition for over 100 years, FMOTQ has changed with Stanford and is an event that the student body continues to attend.
- FMOTQ is the one of the only events that includes all classes and a diverse variety of communities on campus: co-ops, freshmen, seniors, Greek life, and LGBTQ, among others.
- FMOTQ involves a strong campaign for mandatory affirmative consent. By partnering with SHPRC, SARA, and OAPE, the event enforces the importance of sexual consent to the entire undergraduate community. This year, we created an informational video promoting consent, proper behavior at the event, and inclusivity.
Is student opinion being taken into account?
Disappointingly, there has not been clear communication between the Stanford administration and student body on this decision. We hope the administration will engage in a more open dialogue with us, as we believe the popularity of FMOTQ and the petition show a supportive sentiment towards the event. We hope to see student opinion taken into account in a transparent and tangible way before a final decision is made.
If you would like to see FMOTQ continue with administrative support, the petition is available here.
FMOTQ is not flawless. There is certainly more room for improvement, but by cutting support, none of this growth can happen.
Thank you all for your time.
Best,
Anna Zappone, Hannah Hsieh, Julia Olson, Robert Wilkins, Jeff Bennett, Jessica Zhao, Lachlan Green