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In a bid to see if Student Union-planned parties that last later are popular among the student body, the Union is sponsoring Extasy, Brandeis’ first club night party this Saturday. The party will begin at 11 p.m. and end at 3 a.m. (4 a.m. DST) with the doors closing at 1:30 a.m.

Although Extasy comes the weekend after Pachanga, it implements numerous innovations up until now unseen in an authorized campus party. While the concept of a party with extended hours was developed by the Union, more than 20 clubs are co-sponsoring the event. The planners of Extasy are also bringing a prominent Boston DJ, as well as extending invitations to students from other colleges in the Boston area, which can lead to a greater turnout. In light of failed efforts to plan a party, i.e. Purple Rain, which cost $6,000, it is nice to see that the Union is turning to new and innovative planning strategies.

Extasy has experimental purposes as well, which are to see what advertising methods are effective and test the success of parties that last until 3 a.m. If Extasy proves to be a success, other clubs and campus organizations can follow its model in planning their own events.

However, there are flaws inherent in the planning of Extasy. The Union seems to have decided that the student body wants longer parties. Yet, according to Senator-at-Large Andrew Brooks ‘09, no formal survey has been administered to see if this is something students are interested in. Some have argued that the lack of success experienced by student surveys in the past lends support to holding the party without solid data from the student body. However, the Union is risking a large sum of money on an investment that may not pay off.

Even if Extasy is a success, there is a possibility that the results it yields will not benefit planners of future events. Clubs and organizations that are looking to plan a party in the future, may not be able to simulate the environment of Extasy, as they may be unable to afford a DJ of the same repute or advertise outside the Brandeis community.

In addition to the possibility that the experimental party may not yield helpful results, there are other problems with Extasy’s planning. The event is being held only one week after a similarly large dance party. And while advertising for the event uses the fact that Extasy is held during Daylight Savings Time as a selling point because it means the party will last until 4 a.m. What this really means is that students will have the same four hours of partying but will lose an hour of sleep – during midterm season.

While we applaud the intent of the Student Union to boost social life at Brandeis, we question the wisdom of holding a poorly-timed $2,500 experiment to test the success of party that lasts only an hour longer than Pachanga only one week after the original.