Shortly after the gates opened at 12:30 p.m., May 7, for Slope Day 2010, the party on Libe Slope and activities at SlopeFest on Ho Plaza were in full swing. And though clouds threatened, the day remained moderately cool and dry -- a first in several years.

As in past years, SlopeFest contributed to the festive atmosphere and offered such activities as the annual Stroll Competition -- sponsored by the Multicultural Greek Letter Council -- games and a photo op with a life-sized likeness of President David Skorton, which was "very popular," noted Linda Mikula, manager of public affairs in university communications.

"SlopeFest is the non-alcoholic portion of Slope Day," said David Bell, who works in the Student Activities Office. "The picture buttons, slushies and popcorn are all free, paid for from funds from the Student Assembly." He was one of the 250 to 300 staff/faculty volunteers who worked alongside about 250 student volunteers, scanning IDs, collecting tickets and ensuring that the day remained safe for all participants.

On Libe Slope, the opening acts by Canadian rapper/singer k-os and New York-based synth pop band Francis & the Lights ramped up the celebration, followed by the main act, Drake.

This year, sustainability took center stage. Drake, a rhythm-and-blues artist best known for his top of the charts single, "Best I Ever Had" (nominated for this year's Grammy Awards), participates in the national 2010 Campus Consciousness Tours, (http://www.reverb.org/project/CCT/), whose tent near the stage offered interactive opportunities for students to learn about sustainable activities.

Cornell Dining also built on its past successes, designing Slope Day to be a green, "zero-waste" event, beginning with the purchase of 35,000 bottles of Eco-fine water for free distribution; these bottles use 50 percent less plastic than other water bottles.

"At Slope Day 2009, we collected about 650 pounds-worth of compost," noted Jaimee Estreller '10, student sustainability coordinator for Cornell Dining. "Last year, not all the materials or disposables that the food was served on were compostable, so we had to remove the contaminants from the compost bins by hand. This year, Cornell Dining made the decision to make anything available on the slope either compostable or recyclable -- essentially everything would be diverted from the landfill."

To help offset the risks associated with alcohol, Cornell Dining also provided various food tents, offering vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, kosher foods and beverages at stations on Ho Plaza and in the parking lot below Willard Straight Hall.

"Slope Day is less about the attractions and more about the people. Slope Day is about spending time with your friends," said Jack Stupinski '10.

The throngs of students -- talking, laughing and listening to the music -- were clearly enjoying themselves. "I think it's wonderful," said Nick Zhang, a senior in the ILR School. "I like the diversity of people here."

Noted junior Don Sim: "It's the one day all Cornell students can come together and reduce their stress. It's a good day."