If you’ve logged onto Facebook at all in the past month, you’ve probably seen a post or two about “L.I.T. 2.0,” the student-run event company, Clean Boy Promotions’, follow up to last year’s “Life Is Turnt” party, which drew a crowd of nearly 1,500 people.
“From the people who brought you Waka Flocka and gave you the biggest party last year, L.I.T.. We give you the sequel, L.I.T 2.0!!” the event’s Facebook page reads. “This will be the biggest party of the year!”
As of Wednesday morning, 119 people have already checked in to attend on the event’s Facebook page, with 95 more interested in attending. The party will be held at Club Premium on Saturday, Feb. 18, and will feature four guest DJs.
Last year’s party was hosted at Nashville’s Limelight Entertainment Venue and resulted in around 100 underage drinkers being ejected by security.
Additionally, a student attending the party reported to Metro Police she lost consciousness at the party and was then taken to an off-campus residence where she was sexually assaulted.
In an alert sent out to students on Feb. 23, 2016, Campus Security said the report “is currently under investigation by the Metro Nashville Police Department and Belmont University.”
Belmont University’s Title IX Coordinator Molly Zlock told the Vision that investigation has since been closed.
“I am unable to comment on the status of any Metro police investigation, but I can confirm the university conducted an in-depth investigation and did not find a sufficient basis to move forward with a sexual misconduct disciplinary action,” Zlock said. “Belmont continues its deep commitment to student safety and success.”
Sophomore Lauren Farrar went to last year’s party and said she won’t be returning for “L.I.T. 2.0,” saying she felt uncomfortable at last year’s venue, which she described as “way too small for the amount of people” and “really dirty.”
“A large majority of the Belmont people who attended were being tossed out by security, kicking and screaming, for drinking underage,” Farrar said.
Farrar said she felt uncomfortable with the number of people who showed up who “definitely were not college-aged.”
“It was extremely uncomfortable for me because I was being grabbed inappropriately by most of the older men who attended who were not college-aged,” Farrar said. “As much as I tried to enjoy my time, it just wasn’t a comfortable environment at all.”
Junior Christian Crenshaw, who runs Clean Boy Promotions, said security was a priority at last year’s party and he would be hiring even more security for “L.I.T. 2.0.”
“Any time you have an event with a large group of people, there are always risks involved. We have more security at our events than any other events,” Crenshaw said. “The ratio you’re supposed to have in terms of security is one security guard for every 100 people. Last year we had two for every 100.”
Crenshaw said there were 30 trained security guards at last year’s event and felt he had taken the necessary precautions.
“That’s what really sucks about it, that people will do evil things like that. Obviously, we’re going to try and prevent it as much as possible,” he said.
Crenshaw also stressed the venue would not be serving alcohol to minors.
“If you’re not 21, you’re not going to be allowed to drink,” he said.
Chief of Campus Security Pat Cunningham explained the proactive approach Campus Security takes when it hears about potential underage drinking at off-campus locations by contacting local law enforcement and the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
Local law enforcement and TABC respond by “reaching out to venues in advance to ensure they are in compliance” as well as by “conducting checks during events to identify and prosecute violations, whether on the part of the venue, the sponsoring organization or individuals,” Cunningham said.
If Belmont becomes aware of policy violations at off-campus locations, “both individuals and organizations may be subject to disciplinary sanction as well as any criminal prosecution that may have occurred on site,” Cunningham said.
Crenshaw said he felt confident “L.I.T. 2.0” would be a safe and fun time for everyone, and mentioned that Clean Boy’s October party, “Flocka FEST,” was similarly-sized to “L.I.T.” and went incident-free.
“We don’t attract a negative crowd. We try to bring in a fun crowd, but when some people hear about huge events like this, even at big concerts, bad things can happen. So we just try and prevent it as much as possible,” Crenshaw said.
Sophomore Layton Lupone attended last year’s “L.I.T.” party and said she never felt unsafe. This year she is selling tickets for the event.
“It was very well-staffed security-wise,” Lupone said. “If someone was too drunk, security helped them find their friends to get rides home and whatnot. They also had security staff by the VIP area, stage, bar, bathrooms, and entrance and exit. They didn’t hesitate to kick anyone out who wasn’t behaving well or was clearly too intoxicated.”
Lupone said she would be attending this year and encouraged other attendees to be responsible.
“This is a club with a bar — treat it like you would any bar. Do not expect to be served if you’re underaged, and do not accept drinks from strangers.” Lupone said. “You’d think this would be common knowledge because I’ve always been taught to never leave my drink alone or accept one from someone else and to always keep an eye on what I’m drinking. Bad things can happen at any bar or party; people just need to be responsible.”
Photo from L.I.T. 2.0 Facebook event page.