Have your say: SSB

Many students are excited for the return of Exeter’s biggest and sexiest party.

One first-year undergraduate said quite simply that she was looking forward to “being naked”, whilst a Physics student told us that he was “looking forward to showing off my gym bod.”

One major change to the organisation of this year’s SSB is the use of a balloting system to allocate tickets. This was generally regarded to be a fairer system, and one that did not depend on the reliability of a website which crashed last year when tickets were released.

There were some qualms, however, about the price of tickets for the event. Harry Langdon, a Business student, said “I think it’s not worth the price, I feel if it wasn’t such an extravagant event then not many people would go. I’m just going because I think it’s exciting and different and it will make my girlfriend jealous, which is funny.”

There was also some confusion as to why the SSB tickets were more expensive this year, when the event is on the University campus.

Emily Colson, a second-year undergraduate, said: “Surely they don’t have to pay for the venue, and even if they do have to pay for it, it’s a smaller venue so it should be cheaper.”

However, Ben Wilkins defended the cost of tickets, arguing that “there’s probably plenty of other costs that have to be accounted for, such as the main act.” Alice Pearson, a Geography undergraduate also said that she felt ‘the price is fair, but only if there is a good headline act.’

Students took guesses as to who will be headlining the evening, with Rudimental, Wiley and Labrinth being the most popular choices.

One student, who would rather remain anonymous, declared: “My dream would be Robbie Williams and Take That but that’s just my dream in life. Realistically it could be Wiley.”

Harry Langdon said, although he isn’t too bothered who the act is, “I think it should be someone with a good beat so there’s a lot of dancing boobs…”

On a more serious note, a debate has recently emerged about the ‘Tribal’ dress code for this year’s event, with some describing it as racist or offensive to other cultures.

Stephanie Shields said: “I think the choice of theme is slightly tactless as the word tribal does have certain connotations which perhaps marginalise other cultures. As long as people are sensitive to this when choosing what to wear it should be fine, though.”

Some students have disregarded claims that the theme is offensive. Sophie Clarke said: “I’m sure the SSB committee would never purposefully choose a theme which would offend other cultures. Surely they just chose it because it’s in-line with current trends, so it’s popular and quite easy for people to find costumes.”

Despite a few issues regarding the theme and price, the majority of Exeter students seem keen to get their kit off and engage in some frisky antics this December – and all for the great cause of safer sex.