Off-Campus Party at Santa Clara University Violates State Orders

Off-Campus Party at Santa Clara University Violates State Orders

It’s amazing that in the age of COVID, a college party is big news.

The Santa Clara reports:

Off-Campus Party Attracts Hordes of Students

An enormous number of Santa Clara students packed into the backyard of a fraternity house on Jan. 23. Dressed in parkas and flashy winter attire for the theme “Aspen in the 80s,” students socialized in violation of local and statewide orders prohibiting such activity.

The Santa Clara chapter of California Phi hosted the daytime party, with over 75 students in attendance. The Santa Clara Police Department did not stop the party.

A leader of California Phi, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the event over the weekend was supposed to help attract new rushees for their fraternity.

“Our dilemma as a small unchartered fraternity is that if we do not hold events we will not attract new rushees, and we will not be able to maintain the fraternity in the future,” said the California Phi leader in an email to The Santa Clara. “We have tried our best to host as little events as possible this year and any event we do host is not without careful consideration and care.”

He added that the event on Saturday “clearly got out of our hands,” although he did not respond to further comment on what the gathering was intended to be or if they tried to restrain it.

The California Phi leader claimed that the fraternity is, “committed to preventing a similar situation from occurring this year.”

The Santa Clara reached out to 19 students who had attended the party. None responded for comment.

This party was no isolated incident. California Phi’s event is the latest in a string of parties being recognized by students living off-campus, with other fraternities including Sigma Pi and Pi Kappa Alpha throwing parties throughout the fall quarter.

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