The Stood Announces Pre-Registration, Wristband Requirements and Ends Guest Access
The Purchase Student Government Association announced new restrictions for events held at The Stood after clubs were informed that they would be charged for the use of University Police staffing at events exceeding 400 people.
By Marin Tyree
The Stood will now require registration and wristbands for its events and is eliminating guest access, they announced Wednesday on Instagram. All attendees will now be required to register ahead of time and pick up a wristband to attend a Stood event. Students will be able to pick up wristbands from the PSGA office on the Thursday or Friday before the event. Wristbands will be required for entry into the Stood, and attendance will be capped at 400 students.
On Monday, PSGA club executive board members were notified of the changes in an email from the Coordinator of Clubs and Organizations, Em Share. “Over the past few weeks, members of the PSGA Executive Board and The Stood Executive Board have met with Student Affairs leadership, the PSGA Advisor, and UPD Chief to develop a plan that helps keep students safe while continuing to provide engaging events in The Stood,” the email read.
The Stood will also be eliminating access for guests, even those with valid guest passes. “We want to prioritize access for Purchase College students who contribute through the Mandatory Student Activity Fee,” Share wrote.
The Instagram post, which had more than 180 comments as of Thursday evening, said, “This is to help keep the school safe while making sure everyone can enjoy themselves.” Many students left comments expressing their disapproval of the changes.
The decision to require pre-registration and cap attendance comes after club executives were notified at the beginning of the semester that they could receive a bill from University Police (UPD) for hundreds of dollars if their event exceeded 400 people. PSGA made the announcement at its retreat in late August. Milani Dennis, Social Media Coordinator for Students of Caribbean Ancestry (SOCA), one of the organizers of Jump-Off, said the announcement “was received poorly by pretty much everybody in the room.”
“We also sensed a bit of frustration from the PSGA receiving that because it's just not their call to make,” Dennis said. “And I get it, I'm frustrated for them because they're trying to work with this administration, but at the same time trying to be a voice for the student leaders in the room.”
“These steps are simply to make sure our events stay safe and enjoyable for everyone,” The Stood said on Instagram.
Administrators and students discussed the UPD financial policy at a Sept. 9 town hall attended by President Michael Steiper, Chief of Police Sean Forde, Chair of Resident and Student Life Albana Munrett, and Vice President of Student Affairs Patty Bice.
“I am responsible for everything that goes on on this campus, including your safety,” President Steiper said at the beginning of the discussion.
The town hall offered students a chance to directly voice concerns and raise suggestions to high-level administrators. One student said to Chief Forde, “It’s a big uphill battle to earn our trust. It won’t be easy.”
“Challenge accepted,” Forde replied.
According to Associate Director of Student Engagement and Involvement, Jessica Bullock, charging the PSGA for UPD overtime pay was already a college policy. "The policy itself has not changed. The enforcement of it has, though,” she said.
Bice said at the town hall, “We don't know where it came from. My assumption would be that it was absorbed by UPD.” Bice also said that UPD is currently short staffed and "can’t sustain” not charging PSGA clubs for the officers’ overtime.
It remains unclear when the policy was put in place. The Stood, which opened in 2003, is still under the jurisdiction of the college, despite an informal agreement that gives the PSGA full control over its day-to-day operations. The college maintains liability for what goes on in the space.
Each PSGA club budget is funded through the Mandatory Student Activities Fee (MSAF). According to PSGA financial documents, the projected budget for the biggest campus clubs, like SOCA, Latine Unidos and Organization of African Peoples in the Americas, is between $4,500 and $5,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The charges from UPD would come directly from club budgets.
The potential charge for UPD presence is between $700 and $1,500, which Forde said was an “estimate for two officers or four officers.” He did not confirm how many officers would be sent to work at a party at the Stood.
Dennis said, “now the asking price of just throwing a party is so much more. It’s like an underhanded way of telling us that we can’t do the things that we’ve been doing for ages.”
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