By Karina Martinez-CarterThe Daily Northwestern

Northwestern’s reputation at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium has been marred since the 2003 spring formal of NU’s now-defunct chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.

The chapter was kicked off campus and lost its national charter after NU accused the fraternity of vandalism, alcohol use and other improprieties at the spring event. Most notoriously, a fraternity member dropped a closed flask into the beluga whale tank. The whale discovered the flask and later delivered it to its trainer.

Until now, aquarium officials have declined all requests from NU groups to use their venue. But tonight, 1835 Hinman will host its annual formal at the aquarium.

If Friday’s event runs smoothly, it could improve NU-Shedd relations, said Catering and Events Manager Jeanne Baumann.

“This will be a trial to see if we can count on NU students conducting themselves well,” she said. “We have zero tolerance for any of the type of behavior from before.”

Baumann began working at Shedd about a year after the Kappa Sigma formal. She said she receives event requests weekly from NU groups and affiliated organizations. But since Kappa Sigma’s breach of behavior, Shedd has been reluctant to approve events with alcohol.

“I was horrified when I was told (the Kappa Sigma story) – it’s not the type of behavior we’re used to at Shedd,” Baumann said.

But the dorm formal’s status as a dry event helped its chances with Shedd.

Shedd considered the dorm’s request and eventually decided to “go ahead and do it,” she said.

Katie Martin, 1835 Hinman social chair, said she is aware that the event is high-stakes.

The Weinberg sophomore said she has stressed the importance of dry fun and perfect behavior to the 150 students who plan to attend the sold-out formal.

During a munchies event a few weeks ago, the dorm’s executive board described the situation to residents.

“I’m going crazy pulling my hair out, just hoping and praying that we’ve gotten the word across to people,” Martin said. “I’ve had people come up to me and ask about pre-gaming, and the answer is flat-out no alcohol. We have to have an effective message.”

Weinberg freshman and dorm resident Liz Weber is attending the formal on Friday and said she trusts everyone to behave well.

“I’m not worried,” Weber said. “Everyone understands what happened, and everyone will step up and be responsible. (The executive board) made it very clear that if we were not planning to follow the rules, then we shouldn’t come at all.”

To avoid problems, Martin said 1835 Hinman and the aquarium are taking extra precautions. Shedd will provide a security guard for each bus, and the 1835 Hinman executive board will check pockets and purses before attendees board the buses.

Baumann, the aquarium’s events planner, said the guards at the event also were warned and will be especially vigilant.

Despite the stress and potential consequences posed by the venue, Martin said it should be worthwhile.

“I have a huge thing for fish because I grew up on the shore, and I wanted to see if we could get the aquarium,” said the native of Atlantic City, N.J. “My board was totally behind me, and it was our top choice from the beginning.

“Even though we know what has happened, it’s not going to deter anything that we have planned. We’re going to keep it dry and have fun.”

Baumann said she hopes and expects that everything will go well on Friday evening.

“I’m looking forward to the event and everyone conducting themselves appropriately,” she said. “I hope we can do more with NU in the future.”

Reach Karina Martinez-Carter at [email protected].