Over 1,000 UB students traded their jeans for dresses and sweatshirts for suit jackets Friday evening to look their best for the 2004 Undergraduate Student Association Spring Gala, held at Samuel's Grande Manor in Clarence.
"We have had 15 to 20 galas, and so far, we usually have somewhere around 500 to 1,000 students coming," said Patricia Kujawa, assistant director of SA.
This year, the elegant doors of Samuel's Grande Manor opened to a throng of excited UB students. The line to get inside the gala stretched to the street. Once inside, students exchanged ticket stubs and identification for 21-and-over drinking bracelets and began the festivities.
Students coming from the Victorian-style lobby poured into the ballroom and quickly reserved tables for 10 that were draped with soft white tablecloths and topped with crystal dinnerware. The air carried sounds of classical music and the aroma of perfume and cologne.
Come dinnertime, the bars closed and students seated themselves at their tables. Dessert came first, as servers dressed in black and white with bowties brought out cups of chocolate mousse covered with whipped cream and chocolate chips.
The second course was a tossed salad topped with croutons, mandarin oranges and shredded cheese, mixed with a tangy dressing, followed by the entr?(c)e - chicken breast with stuffing, carrots and potatoes. Laugher, jokes, and small talk echoed throughout the ballroom as students dined.
After dinner, the bars reopened and students crowded the lines to get a drink in each hand. DJ Phil played a mix of techno, hip-hop and the occasional slow song for the crowd on the dance floor. Those who weren't mingling in the gazebo or on the balcony took to the dance floor.
Many students said they were pleased with the dinner and bar and thought it was worth the $25 ticket.
"The open bar is the best idea yet," said Kevin Green, a sophomore business major. "You can drink and dance without getting your shoes dirty."
Andre James, a junior architecture major, said he enjoyed spending his Friday evening gala-style.
"It's a nice change of atmosphere from the usual 'get sloppy drunk' at a bar," he said.
But not everyone was satisfied with the event's logistics. Sandra Suy, a junior English major, and several other ticket-buyers did not get a table to sit at because they were already reserved.
"There are so many people here. Tickets were sold out and this is the best turnout yet," said Suy, the president of Asian-American SA. "But I think they should have assigned tables with tickets and seated people so no one was without a table."
"The whole place really needs to be more spacious," said sophomore business major Mai Ling.
Many students echoed Ling's sentiments, saying the amount of people on the floor made it hard to move around freely, unlike past galas held at the sprawling Buffalo Convention Center.
Others said they enjoyed dancing in the close space because it created one gigantic dance party. A clapping, cheering circle formed in the middle of the floor as people gathered around a few talented dancers.
Other students also expressed dissatisfaction with the organization of the event. The lines at the bars and even to get into the banquet hall were far too long, some said, and too much time was spent waiting.
But Megan Cornwall, a freshman exercise major, said she always has fun coming to formal events, and enjoyed the Spring Gala.
"I liked getting dressed up to come. I went to the winter gala and they had a live band so it was better music," said Cornwall. "But I like this place a lot better."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
