Modfest, the widely-acclaimed student social event, will not occur this semester, Assistant Director of Student Life Alwina Bennett said Friday.Following this announcement, certain student senators and administrators began planning to save future Modfests. Some are also acting to schedule a similar festivity in its place this semester.

Director of Public Safety Ed Callahan said that the growing number of complaints from neighbors and administrators, both about loud noise and underage drinking, contributed to the discontinuation of the party.

"Ultimately, people think I'm a bearer of bad news, but bad news is still something that helps us manage events," Callahan said.

Mod Senator Dilip Sidhu '05 began to schedule a replacement event by circulating an e-mail Tuesday night.

"It was my duty as Mod senator to appropriately represent my constituency, and thus, at the recommendation of Becky Fromer ['05], we drafted an e-mail petition, which could be used to gauge the sentiment of all students on campus regarding this issue," Sidhu said.

Class of 2005 Senator Alex Amann said that while it may not convince the University to hold Modfest, the petition will be useful in deciding how to repair the situation.

"The petition tells the senior senators that students support the preservation of Modfest," Amann said. "Unfortunately, I don't believe that the petition just by itself will be too helpful in swaying the decisions of those who oppose Modfest."

Bennett said that despite police and city concerns about substance abuse, she would like to provide students with a safe and enjoyable party without violating legal or safety regulations.

"I am committed to working with Chief Callahan and the seniors to throw a University-wide party where non-alcoholic alternatives will be served, with music, dancing and fun," Bennett said. "It will have to be in an area where we can address our concerns and those of the police."

Sidhu said that in his meetings with the other senators and Bennett, to organize alternative events. According to Sidhu, under consideration was the idea of a "Senior Club Crawl" open to all students, which would take place at a bar or club in Boston.

Another idea, according to Sidhu, was a "Levin fest," which would also be open to the public but would provide seniors with alcohol.

Bennett said that sharing concerns about Modfest would help develop a mutual understanding between the students and administration and would ultimately create a similar, safer version of the event.

"The senior senators, chief Callahan and myself are meeting to clarify what the Institution's concerns are and understand the parameters for planning an alternative event for the fall semester," Bennett said. "We are all committed to having a Modfest second semester."

Callahan said that this year was not the first instance of complaints regarding Modfest. According to Callahan, a progressive escalation of concerns led the administration to take action.

"I don't think it was just this year," Callahan said. "Last year, there were instances where students assaulted police, too. The issues of use and abuse of alcohol is of concern to me and it may lead to violence, which goes past documentation."

Senior Senator Mitchel Balsam '05 said that finding an alternative to Modfest is important because of its popularity among students.

"At this point, we are trying to find the first and best viable opportunity to throw a great on-campus party for everybody," Balsam said. "The Senators for the Class of 2005 will not allow senior tradition to be thrown away."

Student reactions to the termination of Modfest varied.

Lauren Kaplan '05 said that the though the event is not necessarily critical, it is a much appreciated scene.

"It's not important but it is fun," Kaplan said. "I think [senators and administrators] should try to find a way around it."

Transfer student Jason Biggerstaff '06 said that though he has never experienced Modfest firsthand, he believes its loss would damage greatly the already trite party scene.

"This sounds like it would be some nice debauchery on campus," Biggerstaff said. "Now it's not going to happen. That's kind of lame.