This year’s Grant South “Winter White Formal” will be open to the entire campus for the first time since the dance’s conception three years ago.

“The dance was a big success last year so we thought it would be a great way for everybody to relieve stress before finals,” said Kelli Hinton, Grant Towers South residence hall assistant and dance committee member.

Hinton said about 400 students attended last year’s formal and the success was the main reason they decided this year’s dance would be campus-wide.

The past two formals were only for Grant Towers South residents.

“It’s a good way to get some inter-hall social mixing going,” she said. “It’s kind of a big bang to get the Christmas spirit going.”

Hinton said the dance is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 3, so students will have an outlet to blow off steam before finals.

Students can bring guests who do not attend NIU, but they will be responsible for those guests, Hinton said.

Music will be provided by Amnesia, 1000 W. Lincoln Hwy., and refreshments will be available.

There also will be professional photographers on hand.

The dance will be held from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Duke Ellington Ballroom in the Holmes Student Center.

Tickets will be available until Dec. 3 and will cost $3 for

singles and $5 for couples.

Hinton said most students wear jackets and ties and semiformal or formal dresses.

She said there have been no security problems at past winter formals, but there will be a large number of senior staff and residence hall assistants at the dance.