Jezebel Terms Wesleyan Admin's Tour De Franzia Tactics 'Ridiculous'

Wesleyan University's administration has laid down the law for students caught taking part in the annual box-wine-chugging / scavenger hunt in a punishment point system that rivals serious on-campus offenses, according to a Jezebel article published Monday.

It's actual date, like in past years, is unknown, although Wesleying says in the past, Tour de Franzia takes place on one of the last weekends of the semester. Graduate and undergraduate classes end May 8 and commencement is May 23. 

It’s typically announced by an anonymous Facebook profile, “WesParty Guy,” word of mouth and mass texts, according to Wesleying.

"The administration has implemented a punishment system that makes participating in Tour de Franzia equal to some forms of sexual misconduct and assault," according to Jezebel.

The popular, one-night event consists of teams of students, each drinking a 5-liter box of Franzia wine as fast as they can, while running around campus completing wacky tasks like "whole team in a tree," "being ironic in WesCo" and "getting undressed on a dresser," according to the student-run blog Wesleying. 

Wesleyan students are up in arms about these measures, according to the student-run blog Wesleying.

"Maybe you thought the administration would reign in its attempts to stop Tour de Franzia after being publicly skewered," the post reads. "You were wrong. If anything, after begging your parents to stop the mayhem, the powers that be have only stepped up their game, going so far as to email all faculty, have RAs set up military-style checkpoints outside student dorms on the night of the Tour, and threaten to slap students with six judicial points for, uh, 'wearing costumes.'”

Last week, Wesleyan Dean of Students Rick Culliton sent out an email which reads, "You will not be presumed to be a participant for simply being outside. Participation in the Tour will be interpreted as taking part in the scavenger hunt (whether or not you are drinking), wearing masks and/or costumes, as well as possessing and/or consuming alcohol."

Liliana Carrasquillo, office of residential life coordinator, also emailed students, saying on the night of the Tour, students will be required to show a photo ID when they return. "No Wesleyan student will be allowed access into a building that they do not reside. Neither will unregistered non-Wesleyan guests." Jezebel, agreeing with student detractors, termed the sanctions extreme.

"In summary: even if you're running around sober wearing something silly ('something the admin would encourage as "so wes" on any other day of the week,' one student pointed out), you will still 'be subject to judicial action,'" Jezebel says. 

Vice President for Student Affairs Michael J. Whaley last month emailed students, saying those "who choose to participate in any way (even if not drinking) will face judicial charges. We have consulted with the SJB concerning the sanctions that students should expect, and have determined that typical participants in the Tour will be assigned a minimum of 6 judicial points."

According to the student handbook, the consequences for sexual misconduct and assault, operating under the influence, causing a disruption, possessing explosives, ammunition or incendiary devices; and reckless endangerment range from 5-10 judicial points. 

Related story

• College Students Playing Wine-Chugging Game Face Serious Consequences