A number of students received an unexpected message this January over AOL Instant messenger telling them to add the screenname “wespartyguy” to their buddy lists. Wespartyguy, whose creator wishes to remain anonymous, is a party networking system, where students instant message information about campus gatherings that the creator displays in his away messages.
“It was very weird. One day I just received an instant message telling me to add his name to my buddy list,” said Anna Ross ’06 of her first encounter with Wespartyguy. “I thought it was weird at first, thinking this guy must have nothing else to do, but now I find his away messages advertise pretty good parties.”
Wespartyguy started the system as an efficient way of communicating information about parties, and hopes it will create a more inclusive party culture on campus.
“No one ever knew what was going on at night around here,” Wespartyguy said. “I figured this would be a good way to let people know. Everyone wins—parties get people and people get parties.”
Wespartyguy said about fifty people have instant messaged him so far, but he suspects far more know about him and check his messages. Many students who use the service find out about it through word-of-mouth, rather than through a direct instant message.
“I heard it from my friends. I’ve seen his screen name on my friend’s computer,” said Christina Farrell ’06. “I think it’s a good idea. As long as Public Safety doesn’t find out.”
Wespartyguy avoids discussing any alcohol that might be offered at parties in his away messages and tries to confirm all parties, although there is no perfect way to avoid hoax instant messages informing him of parties that don’t actually exist.
“I try to use my discretion, and knowledge of the campus and people,” Wespartyguy said. “I try to stick to the house and frat parties; things that make more sense.”
When it comes to learning about weekend events, however, many still prefer the old-fashioned way.
“Usually I know from my friends, hearing things, or just randomly,” said Travis Archer ’07. “I’ve looked at [Wespartyguy], but usually I know where I’m going. I use it more as an alternative source.”
This method of inventing new informative party sources has raised interest among students to come up with their own.
“I’ve heard of other schools having a website made by students for students to web their opinion. I know we have the daily jolt, maybe an actual website would be good,” Farrell said. “I think what’s important is that parties consist of an eclectic mix of people. There’s a lot of diversity here and parties can be seen as a new way to meet people.”
“I think the problem with coming up with a website is that no one has time. IM seems to be as good as you’re going to get,” Ross said.
The idea of a phone hotline has also been passed around among students, but has received mixed feedback.
“I think that would suck. You’d have to call someone to find out if something is good or not and there wouldn’t be a definitive answer,” said Amye Greene ’05. “There’s no guarantee that one person’s view reflects the whole party.”
Archer prefers the independent method.
“When I go to parties, I like to do my own thing. I’ll come and if the party’s not happening, I’ll leave,“ claimed Archer. ”I like to find out for myself. The thing is, people’s opinion on one person’s scene isn’t necessarily another. But, if the party he’s advertising is your scene, then he’s your guy.“
The Wesleyan party scene as an ever-evolving setting can be viewed as a new way of meeting people, but the final say lies in the hands of the students who choose where to go, whether with the help of Wespartyguy or not. ”Usually I have no problem finding parties,“ Ross said. ”Wespartyguy is a useful source though, and it seems that more and more people are using him.“
In spite of his commitment to the ideas behind the system, Wespartyguy’s creator admits that its operation has been a hassle at times, and discontinued the service for a week this month.
”I am a Wes student, and my classes were kicking my ass,“ Wespartyguy said. ”The ideal party system would be where I don’t have to do all this work and everyone still parties.“
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