Presidential Election Festival

In April 2000, the Student Government Election Commission approached the Freshman Aides (now named Student Government Freshman Leaders) and asked them to create a party idea in order to get more students to attend the announcement of the Student Government President and Vice-President Elect.  The 1999-2000 Freshman Aides came up with the "Presidential Election Festival," PEF for short.  It became a tradition when Donovan Nichols, Director of Freshman Aides 2000-2001, decided that the Freshman Aides should sponsor this event each year because it is a wonderful training experience for freshman in planning an on-campus event.  The 2001 PEF held a Hawaiian theme and the Freshman Aides gave out 600 leis to UT students attending the party.  The PEF is located in the flatlands or Rocky’s Attic each spring and brought to life with free food, DJ, beer garden, decorations, and occasionally a bonfire.  The announcement takes place around 11pm and the party ends soon there after, but the celebration for the new Student Government President and Vice-President last all night long.  Student Government Freshman Leaders provide a new theme for the event each year. Previous Themes 2004 (5th PEF)- Las Vegas 2003 (4th PEF)- Country Western @ Rocky's Attic 2002 (3rd PEF) - Mardi Gras @ Rocky's Attic 2001 (2nd PEF)- Hawaiian Luau @ Flatlands 2000 (1st PEF)- No Theme @ Flatlands