Noize Parade Controversy

Noize Parade, which typically takes place on the Friday of O-Week, is a time-honored Reed tradition. Characterized by its secretiveness, Noize Parade is often only advertised by cryptic posters around campus, and returning Reedies do not give details about the event to Freshmen before the event starts. As an advocate of campus tradition, I will write this article in such a way that major details of the event will not be explained here. 

This year, Noize Parade took place on the night of Friday, August 30. On September 8, a letter to the student body regarding Noize Parade went out through the SB Info email, sent out to the whole student body. The letter was written regarding the use of red paint during the celebration. After the most recent Noize Parade, complaints were made regarding the use of red paint by the organizers of the event. Haydyn Davila ‘26, did not attend the event this year, but recalls that in previous years, “people would always shout that they would whip out the paint, and if you don’t want to get paint on you, to leave. There was a lot of emphasis on consent.” Students also reported that paint guns were used at the event. Although the paint is intended to be water-soluble, the paint sometimes stains clothing. 

Red paint is a key element to the event, and traditionally, it was expected by attendees that clothes worn to the event risk being ruined by the paint. Typically, this expectation was set by upperclassmen while they advertised the event by word of mouth. However, in recent years, the expectation shifted, leaving attendees assuming that they would have more control over whether or not they would come in contact with the paint. Zoe Cute ‘25 recalls, “I think that the reason that freshmen are warned to wear clothes that they could get paint on isn’t because throwing on paint on random people is part of the event, but because dumping paint on specific people who are a part of the ritual is part of the event. And coming into contact with these people could get paint on you.” 

Noize Parade is put together by the previous year’s HVM Play cast, meaning that a relatively small group of Sophomores are largely responsible for the setup of the event. Although Noize Parade is an ‘unofficial’ and student-run event, a few students noted that this year, the Office of Student Engagement posted about Noize Parade on their Instagram story. OSE confirmed that there was a post on the O-Week Instagram page that included various events, and that last year Noize Parade was listed on the O-Week schedule, but they then clarified that they advertised Noize Parade through their office for at least the last couple of years. The regular Instagram post was posted in carousel format, with Noize Parade listed from 9:00pm-10:00pm without further detail. OSE was not in contact with HVM Play regarding the event. 

In the letter addressed to the student body, the Noize Parade organizers addressed the fact that they are second years, and explained that their HAs and OWLs from freshman year set the expectation that there would be a risk of coming in contact with the paint if they attended the event. The organizers stated that they would communicate with future organizers to make sure they are aware of this year’s miscommunication.