CSU Urges Students To Skip 'Undie Run' This Year

By Lauren DiSpirito
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4)- Colorado State University officials are asking students not to partake in this year's "BARE" run. The annual event, formerly called the "undie" run, is planned for Friday on the CSU campus.

This year's run, which in the past has been billed as a chance to relieve stress before finals and donate clothing to charities, is unorganized and lacks necessary event insurance, according to CSU.

"We want to share concerns about past issues with the run and inform you that it lacks organization," CSU's public safety team and Dean of Students, Judy Donovan, wrote in an email to students this week. "Anyone who seeks to participate this year takes a significant risk."

According to the university, security and clean up for past "undie" runs has cost $15,000, and nearly seven tons of clothing have ended up in the city's landfill, unaccepted for donation because the clothes were rain-soaked or damaged.

The public safety team has indicated campus police will be prepared to break up crowds. After failing to secure necessary insurance, students who were organizing this year's event backed out, and a former organizer took to social media to urge students not to attend.

Still, some students tell CBS4 they are not dissuaded.

"It's not like overly dangerous just to like run around in your underwear," said Erin O'Kray-Murphy, a freshman who plans to attend the event.

"A lot of my friends are doing it," said Kasey Fox, also a freshman, "It's just something that I heard about that sounded enjoyable to do, just have a cool story to go home with, not that I'd tell my parents."

Other students say they will heed the university's warning.

"I don't think it's worth it," Alisha Scheifley, a senior, said. "I think it gives us kind of a bad reputation, especially because we're a really sustainable school, at least we try to be."

Josh Fleck, a senior who participated in past "BARE" events, said the run sometimes turns into an "organized riot." He says this year, he won't be attending.

But, for Fox, taking part is about upholding tradition.

"It's more just to keep with tradition, and it's focusing on body acceptance too this year, since they're shifting away from donating clothes," Fox said. "I don't think anyone is trying to be malicious."

Lauren DiSpirito is CBS4's Northern Newsroom reporter. Follow her on Twitter @CBS4Lauren. Share your story ideas with her here.