Planning has begun for GW’s sixth-ever Inaugural Ball, which will again be held at the luxurious Omni Shoreham Hotel near Woodley Park. GW booked all seven of the hotel’s ballrooms for the Jan. 21 event, according to a hotel staff member. The University also rented the seven halls for the last inaugural ball, which drew more than 5,000 people.

The highly coveted tickets will be sold starting election day for students, alumni, faculty and staff.

Members of the GW community who purchased the discounted election day tickets in 2008 coughed up $85 to attend the ball and $75 in 2004, with steeper prices for waitlisted purchasers. The University’s Inaugural Ball Planning Committee, which is in the initial stages of planning, has not yet decided on this year’s price, University spokeswoman Michelle Sherrard said. The committee has also yet to decide how many tickets will be made available on election day.

This year’s Student Association President Ashwin Narla, who sits on the committee, said the group is already gearing up for preparation and is looking to bring various student perspectives into the mix.