Grabby hands and wet sucking lips: what more could you ask for?

The free-wheeling, spit-swapping, wild night is upon us once again. Full Moon on the Quad gears up in Main Quad tonight at 10:30. The sophomore class presidents have made slight modifications to this year’s event, such as introducing nametags to encourage verbal exchange before the more traditional tongue wrestling. They will also try to foster a more intimate atmosphere this year through less lighting.

While the deluge of kissing frenzies sweeps over the Main Quad, the police and staff of the Sexual Health Peer Resource Center (SHPRC) as well as Vaden Health Center will try their best to keep the riotous love fest in check.

Officer Chris Cohendet, the event coordinator for the Stanford Department of Public Safety, and campus police will be placing monitors across the Quad to push for a dry and safe event.

“Our focus for this event is safety,” Cohendet said. “In the past we have seen alcohol-related crimes and medical issues intertwined with this event.”

Cohendet said that police and University staff will be patrolling the Quad for students who show signs of inebriation and that arrests are possible.

Vanessa Pascoe ‘08, the campus-wide outreach coordinator for the SHPRC, will educate the student body on safe sex and will be handing out free condoms and fliers. Though the condoms are free, students should not expect to get them without effort.

“We are going to have a more interactive component,” Pascoe said. “Students can come up to our table and answer some trivia questions. They’ll still get a condom, but this way they’ll learn something.”

Vaden officials will also be dishing out free mouthwash, mints and chocolate kisses, as well as free counseling from the peer health educators (PHEs).

Daniel Sean Bradley ‘08, a PHE in West Lag, said he wanted freshmen to remain safe and comfortable.

“Just make wise decisions,” he said. “Don’t feel pressure to participate. Stay among friends.”

The sophomore class presidents assured The Daily that they have planned an evening friendly to kissers and non-kissers alike, filled with dance and music performances by groups such as DV8.

After all, not everyone is excited about partaking in the merriment. Some consider the modern Full Moon a deterioration of the original tradition.

“I’m disappointed of this mono-getting fest,” said Kate Thomas ‘11. “I heard that it used to be chivalrous and sweet, where the freshman would get a kiss by a senior on the cheek and a rose. Now, it’s just some wild orgy.”

But with the promise of lighthearted fun and wild romps, many freshmen are having a hard time holding in the excitement.

“I want to see what the tradition’s all about,” said Emily Rains ‘11, “because I’ve been hearing about it since sixth grade.”