Cries of "We are Penn State!" and light from glow sticks filled the HUB-Robeson Center Saturday night as hundreds of students poured into the building for a makeshift rave.
Crowds of students filtered in to the first floor of HUB Saturday night in hopes of blowing off a little pre-finals steam. The dance party was organized a week earlier through Facebook.
Attendees were encouraged to wear white to foster some school spirit, but several students chose to take the costuming a bit further.
Ashley Singletary (sophomore-archeological science) said the highlight of her night was seeing several students dressed as ninjas dancing with another student in a Santa Claus costume.
Other outfits included a Gumby costume and the "Green Man" from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." Some students took the rave theme to heart, covering themselves in glow sticks and fluorescent body paint.
Students crowded together in the center of the HUB Alumni Hall, dancing to the DJ's music and forming a mass of writhing bodies, with crowd surfers sliding along the top of the dancers.
Andrea DeVinney (sophomore-political science) said the feeling on the dance floor wasn't necessarily the most pleasant.
"It's hot, sweaty and people smell bad," she joked.
Despite the sweat, students in attendance said they appreciated the opportunity to relax during the stress of finals week.
"It's, like, the coolest thing ever," Annette McCormick (sophomore-advertising) said. "It's a way to release stress."
HUB officials said university policy prohibits events in the building during finals week. The mass of students was monitored by Penn State Police officers and HUB employees. They ushered students into the HUB Alumni Hall after noise began to disturb those who were studying in the HUB.
However, the party atmosphere in the HUB Alumni Hall filtered into nearby lounges, where students took a break from the loud music and glow sticks to relax and socialize.
Singletary said she enjoyed her study break, but she also had a minor complaint.
"We've got to turn these lights off," she said. "I mean, it's supposed to be a rave."
While the lights remained on, students said they were satisfied with the outcome of the rave and are looking forward to future events like it.
"I definitely think they should do this again," McCormick said. "I thought it was a really cool idea."
