Wilder Late Nighter provides studs, ink

What do haircuts have in common with a magician have in common with Ekoostik Hookah?

Ordinarily, perhaps, not much. Last Friday night, however, they were among the diversions offered by Wilder Late Night, the Student Union's first major event this year. Students who wandered into Wilder could have their tarot cards read, get their hair cut, have their bodies tattooed or pierced, see horror movies, watch a magic show, or dance to any of three bands that played that evening.

"This whole project is designed to get people into the Union," said Bill Stackman, the assistant director of student life. Stackman worked an unusually late night on Friday, staying until after the event was over and cleaning up before heading home for sleep.

Chris Baymiller, director of the Student Union, emphasized the new dedication to the Union, calling the event "something to showcase the building and familiarize it to first -year students."

And familiarize themselves they did. Students stood in long lines to avail themselves of the discounted services. The tarot card reader drew much of the crowd, as did the body piercing and tattooing on the second floor.

For $40, students could have their navel, nipple, nostril, or eyebrows pierced, although the sign proclaimed "no piercing below the waist." Ears and ear cartilage were substantially cheaper, with ears running $10, not including the jewelry, and ear cartilage at $15. Students cited the lower-than-average prices as a major incentive to get pierced.

"I'm doing it because it's cheap," said Ian Sherman, college junior, referring to the nipple piercings he was about to attain. "I can't wait to tell people back home that I got my nipples pierced sponsored by the College."

Indeed, the Student Union did take money from its budget to subsidize the night's activites, which raised questions of liability. "We're obviously concerned about it," said Baymiller.

Stackman echoed his concerns. "We were very careful in negotiating a contract, all the liability is off the college, including all handling of waste materials," he said, referring to Chronic Body Art, which provided the tattoo artists and piercers. "We're making sure no one is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. We want it to be a conscious decision, and students have to sign waivers. We went to great pains to make sure we didn't put the College in an uncomfortable position."

Students appreciated the chance to participate in these activities. "We're all over 18; we can decide if we want to have our hair cut or our arms tattooed," said senior Tracie Guy.

That "anything goes" mindset permeated most of the evening. "People are in kind of a weird mood," said Mike Pinkerton, College senior. "They're showing each other body parts and touching them." Pinkerton's comment was prompted by the two women who disappeared into the second floor bathroom to kiss so that one could experience the other's tongue piercing.

Both Stackman and Baymiller were excited about the prospects for next year's Wilder Late Night. "Next year, this will be bigger," promised Stackman.