Every fall semester, the Student Activities Board hosts a Winter Semi-Formal. This year, the dance will be held Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. at the Lakeside Party Center with a cost of $15 to attend.

“I think [the Winter Semi-Formal] is really important because it’s the one opportunity I can think of that we allow students to dress up for fun. This is a time we encourage people to get out of their comfort zone,” said Ryan Smith, assistant director of Student Activities.

One way SAB is increasing attention to the event after last year’s was cancelled, is by holding a competition for the best promposal.

A promposal is a creative way that a person can ask someone to be their date to the dance. This can be done by photo or video and submitted via Twitter or Facebook using #WUFormal18 by Nov. 12.

The student body will vote on the best submission through a Twitter poll. The winner will receive free tickets to the dance.

“We are hoping that students will start the trend of starting the promposals on campus and make it into a tradition year after year,” Smith said. “We want to see and have students be able to vote on who did the best video or best photo of their promposal.”

Last year’s Winter Semi-Formal was the first that has been cancelled due to low participation from the student body.

Smith believes this was due to several factors. One was that SAB tried to host it in the Benedum Dining Hall, but found instead of it being more convenient for students, they would prefer to go off-campus. Another was that there was conflicting event on that day and finals were the next week.

Smith anticipates a better turnout this year with a goal of 100 students to participate, but are planning for more.

“We do encourage people if they have a boyfriend or girlfriend outside of the university to bring them,” Smith said. “It’s an open event for people to come and enjoy themselves.”

This year, the event will be off-campus and two weeks before finals to be more conscious of the timing for students. A DJ and photo booth will be there for entertainment. The catered dinner has a menu of stuffed chicken breast, roast beef, pierogies, cheddar mashed potatoes, tossed salad and green beans.

Smith said as a friendly reminder that “when you go home over Thanksgiving break, don’t forget your dress; don’t forget your bowties.”