by David Cunningham
When it comes to staff parties - Dundee goes that extra mile to make sure we are irrefutably the very best!
Summer Sensation 2002 was the inaugural staff summer bash - and it turned out to be the party of all parties. Over 650 staff and alumni of the University revelled in the Sensation Village of marquees just yards from the main campus, beside Dundee Contemporary Arts, the Queens Hotel and Sensation Science Centre.
In one marquee live bands entertained throughout the night and a packed dance floor remained full until the final encore. The main bar offered a full bar service and additional seating allowing people to rest their weary feet between dances. Venturing into the third main marquee was not recommended for those looking for a rest as a ceilidh was in full flow throughout the night. Away from the dancing (and strangely not popular until after everybody had had a couple of drinks) there was a fun fair and traditional carnival stalls. By midnight there were few who hadn’t dared to give the sky diver ride a go!
In 2003 over 1,200 staff and alumni are expected to join in the fun. Word is spreading fast and some staff groups have already formed to take advantage of the buy five get one free ticket offer. Groups of alumni are also forming and many old friends are planning to return in July to take part.
The programme for 2003 reflects this increased interest and a new standard in partying will be set, not just for the University, but for the entire city! Not only will there be two additional main venues in 2003, there will be a charity Casino for TICR, live bands, an all night barbeque, the fun fair and three separate bars.
And, most importantly, the ticket price is frozen from last year at an unbelievable £15! (Just £12.50 each if you take advantage of the group booking offer.) This ticket price includes the barbeque and the funfair as well as a free roll of the dice in the charity casino!
Although the event officially ends at midnight, for those who want to party in to the small hours there will be a late night jazz club in the Sensation Village until 2.30am starring Deputy Principal and Dean of the Faculty of Education and Social Work Professor Ron Elder and his band!
Dress code is party wear - smart/casual, no denims. Promotional mini garden parties will be hitting the campus over the next few weeks to tell staff more about the event and make to tickets and discounts available to staff.
Tickets go on sale on 1 May. Contact Susan Ferguson in External Relations for sales. Ext 4021 s.z.ferguson@dundee.ac.uk First come first served. More information from David Cunningham ext 8046 d.r.cunningham@dundee.ac.uk