This is your first faculty party, which means that you'll be navigating deep political waters. It also means that you have to dress up. The party isn't black-tie, or else only three professors would attend, but there's an expectation of more formal attire, like you wore on your first day of classes.
You don't mind dressing up, though you decided to stick with an outfit you already owned. You make sure to get dressed early enough that you can arrive at the party on time.
The Jermyn Activity Center blazes in the early darkness of the winter evening, its two-story rear windows lighting up the dark forest that crouches behind it. Through the similar front windows, you see the few people who arrived as early as you.
To your amusement and chagrin, the sign above the double doors reads "Swinter Soirée". You make a note never to let Janice Pulham, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, name anything you're involved in.
The emailed invitation offered the chance to bring a plus-one.