How We’re Changing Events During Covid
August 17, 2020
We’re just a few short days from events starting up and we couldn’t be more excited. FIVE MONTHS – that’s how long we’ve waited for this semester, and boy are we ready! If you keep up with our blog, you know we’ve hinted at some changes being instilled at events, like increasing sanitary procedures or limiting capacity. While this may be true, we’re still committed to bringing you the same great events with just a little twist. We want to host events and we want you to stay safe, so we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to do this right.
So what does this look like? First, this post is giving you the most current information as of today (August 17). Unfortunately, just as state guidelines change, so will our event procedures. In an effort to communicate the most accurate information and make the safest decision possible for guests, all changes and guidelines for events will be posted on Instagram in addition to the specific event page the week of the event. Our weekly event rundown on Instagram will give you capacity limits each Monday, and we’ll always be posting tips on how to attend our events safely.
As of today, Student Activities is operating within Virginia’s Phase 3 ‘Safer At Home: Entertainment and Public Amusement’ guidelines. This means an increased sanitary event environment, such as staff wearing masks in all customer facing areas, discontinuing hand-to-hand contact where applicable, encouraging halls/households to physically distance from other groups, and limiting guests in high traffic spaces. We’ll have mobile hand sanitizing stations all around our events, so utilize those to keep yourself and others protected. Operating within these guidelines also means that our events will have limited capacities of 50% of the lowest venue occupancy or 1,000 guests, whichever is lesser. In order to accommodate this, all venues (whether indoors or outdoors) will have distinct entrance and exit points. Outdoor event spaces will be roped off with signage to help guide you to the entrances. By adhering to these policies, we’re all working together to ensure these events are safe for everyone who attends.
So, how can you help? In general, keeping up with our guidelines and reviewing our social media for any event changes prior to showing up to an event will be key. Once we reach capacity, we’ll post it in an Instagram story – we don’t want you to travel all the way to the venue if you don’t have to! To keep groups separated, we’re asking halls and households to arrive together so you can easily be seated together (i.e. Movie Night, Bingo, Outdoor Open Mic, etc.). This ensures you have enough space for your group, while leaving 6’ between you and the group next to you. Lastly, pay close attention to signage throughout the event, as it will guide you to entrances, exits, line queues, etc., and allow you to maintain a safe distance from other individuals.
There’s a few other practical things you can do to keep safe:
- Use wipes to clean any surface that you come in contact with
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 30 seconds
- Stay home if you’re feeling sick or have flu-like symptoms
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and dispose of it in the trash
- Wear a mask or face covering
- Avoid close contact with other halls/households (groups) or individuals at events to promote social distancing
One of our greatest resources at Student Activities is the feedback we receive from students who attend our events. We always want to do things with excellence and intentionality, so when you fill out a survey, it helps us make necessary changes in improving our events. These surveys will be increasingly important at events this year to make sure we’re doing a good job with the changes we’ve implemented and making our guests feel comfortable, while maintaining university and state guidelines. To eliminate passing around tablets and paper surveys like we typically do, our staff will be walking around with QR codes so you can take the survey right from your phone at every event. If you get the opportunity to fill one out, please do so. They take less than 60 seconds and are a huge asset to us as we continue to learn and change during this season.
We’ve developed this theme within our team culture that we’re “all in this together”, and we mean it. If we’re doing our part and you’re doing yours, we think these events will run smoothly and safely. I speak for all of Student Activities when I say we’re so excited to have you back on campus, and are really looking forward to building community with each of you this semester.
As a reminder, for updated info on event policies follow us on Instagram and check out our website. To see a full list of what we’re doing and what you can do to make events safe, visit the event sanitary procedures page on our website. Thanks for the support – we can’t wait to see you this week!
Written by: Steph Ward
Steph is the Director of Student Activities. She has a B.S. in Visual Communication Arts: Graphic Design and a M.S. in Management. Steph oversees the overall calendar and vision of the Student Activities Department from promotion to execution and analysis. She also leads the Student Activities staff, comprised of 20+ full time and student worker employees.
Block Party Premier Sponsors
August 12, 2020
This year, our Block Party has an awesome lineup of premier vendors that are supporting our event! We wanted to give you a rundown of who they are and what they do, so here they are:
Premier Sponsors
YES (Your Event Source) – based out of Charlotte, NC, YES has been a part of our SA events for many years now. They provide the attractions you love, like the Ferris wheel, the mechanical bull, Meltdown and more! We love working with them and having them be a part of our events, especially Block Party.
90.9 FM The Light – the Contemporary Christian Music station based in Lynchburg that you probably listen to on your drive to and from work. They play the best of the Christian music charts right now and consistently support our events by advertising for us.
Domino’s – who doesn’t love some consistently good pizza?! Domino’s is another business we work with often, especially at the beginning of the year. Bring your Flames cash – they’re one of the only food trucks that will accept it at BP.
So there you have it! See you August 29 for some good coffee, pizza, and amazing attractions!
Block Party Title Sponsor: Coca-Cola
August 5, 2020
We are proud to announce that Coca-Cola is the title sponsor for Block Party once again this year! We have partnered with Coke for the past few years at Block Party and are incredibly thankful to continue our relationship with the company.
Did you know that the company was founded in 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia? 134 years ago, only nine bottles of Coke were sold a day when it was first created. Decades later, Coca-Cola products are sold in over 200 countries with over 500 different brands, making it the number one beverage company in the world. An estimated 1.9 billion daily servings of Coca-Cola beverages are distributed!
Coca-Cola is known for their viral marketing strategies that have inspired many corporations over the century. With their current campaign, “Together Tastes Better”, Coca-Cola is teaming up with celebrity chefs and professional athletes to bring their family cooking tips and secrets from the virtual Coca-Cola Kitchen to your own home. Nothing brings the family together quite like a home cooked meal and an ice-cold Coke.
At SA, we appreciate companies that go above and beyond to change the way things have been done before, and we feel that Coca-Cola is one of the best examples of that. At Block Party, Coca-Cola has given us free Coke and Dasani to hand out, so don’t forget to pick yours up for free!
Homecoming: Make 2020 Come Alive
July 2, 2020
The feeling you get thinking about your first day of college is quite nostalgic. Many of you were dropped off for the first time, in a place that was unfamiliar, not knowing what the future would hold. Move in week brought bittersweet feelings – you’re nervous leaving home for the first time yet excited for the next stage of life. College is one of the most pivotal times in your entire life, as you learn to navigate some of the best experiences and greatest challenges life offers. Jump four years and you’re sitting at graduation thinking of all that Liberty means to you – a place you’ll always call home, good lessons you’ve learned, professors who cared about your success, late nights, and most importantly, the lasting friendships you’ve made along the way. But it doesn’t have to end there. Liberty becomes a place you can come home to, and we’re here to join you as you journey from a student to an alumni, a full 360 experience!
That is why Student Activities is proud to announce that starting this fall, we will begin overseeing Homecoming weekend. We’re passionate about cultivating relationships and fostering community among students throughout their time here at Liberty, and what perfect way to further that mission by continuing to engage with you as alumni! We can’t wait to have you back, and hope you’ll join us October 9-10, 2020 to celebrate your coming home.
Homecoming 2020 has a lot in store – I’d check out our website for an exhaustive list of what to expect; events including Flames Football vs. Louisiana-Monroe, the carnival, meeting deans and other notable alumni, bonfire, Hockey vs. Syracuse, the parade, and more. Grab your friends and family and come back to the mountain! We highly encourage you to register early to lock in the best things the weekend has to offer. Anyone who registers by July 31 will receive a branded scarf or blanket for you (and your group). Those who register by September 4 will guarantee that each member of their group receives a Homecoming branded t-shirt and one tote for the group (as seen on our Registration page). Early registrants will also get first opportunities at tickets like football, theater, concerts, and more. We guarantee there’s something for every member of your family, so I hope you join us and make 2020 come alive!
Visit liberty.edu/homecoming for a full list of events and details you’ll need to know for your weekend on campus. I encourage you to check out our FAQ page to help answer any questions you may have right away! Feel free to email us at homecoming@liberty.edu or call (855) 222-8836. Registration is open now – we’ll see you in October!
Written by: Steph Ward
Steph is the Director of Student Activities. She has a B.S. in Visual Communication Arts: Graphic Design and a M.S. in Management. Steph oversees the overall calendar and vision of the Student Activities Department from promotion to execution and analysis. She also leads the Student Activities staff, comprised of 20+ full time and student worker employees.
SA Previews: Block Party
June 11, 2020
I’ve been saying for months now how sweet and refreshing it will be to have students back on campus this fall. When you run a department full of events that brings people together, you can expect that there’s a void in all of us when those events get canceled, and we are to limit interaction with any sort of group. I get antsy after three months of students being gone, so you can imagine how I’m feeling with our current five-month gap. All this to say, I’m really hopeful and ecstatic for what the fall will bring!
One of our most anticipated events of the year is set for August 29 at 5 p.m. in the LaHaye Parking Lot – Block Party. Though there are a lot of loose ends right now, boy are we ready! Chock-full of food vendors, attractions like the ferris wheel and mechanical bull, local businesses and interactive vendors, prizes, live music, and more, this event has much to offer Liberty students, faculty and staff. As you may have seen, we’re bringing you a full night of music, kicking off at 5 p.m. all the way until 10 p.m. Five artists/bands are set to hit the stage, and I dare say this is one of my favorite line ups to date. Lets get to know our artists a bit more:
GAWVI
A native to the Block Party stage, GAWVI, a pop and hip artist and producer, will be closing the show. Born in the Bronx and raised in Miami, he uses his Latin roots to create versatile sounds with Latin-Caribbean rhythms. His set is guaranteed to be upbeat and bring energy to the crowd.
The New Respects
The New Respects are a pop, soul, and roll & roll band from Nashville, Tennessee. Their mesh of many genres with overlays of acoustic tones set them apart in the music industry. Comprised of two sisters, a brother, and their cousin, they’ll undeniably bring soul and spirit to the stage.
Temecula Road
Where are all my country music fans at? Temecula Road was formed by two sisters, Emma and Maddie Salute, and longtime friend Dawson Anderson. They’re well-known for their trademark harmonies and impeccable vocals. The band is from Temecula, California, which they named are named after, to signify their deep ties to their community.
Angie Rose
Angie Rose is a pop and hip-hop artist from the Bronx. Her Puerto Rican roots really inspire her music, with lyrics that promote diversity and overcoming various obstacles in life, alongside a sound that brings upbeat and lively energy.
NICE.
Kicking off the night will be NICE., bringing a sound they’ll describe as nostalgic yet modern, comparable to The 1975 and Coldplay. These guys will make us feel right at home, as they were formed here at Liberty University!
Each of these artists are unique, upbeat, and will bring diversity to our Block Party stage. I encourage you to check out their music in advance, so you can be ready to party with us that night.
On a more serious note, as with anything we do, we do our best to create events that are safe and inviting for all guests. In an effort to make Block Party the best it can be, while maintaining a safe environment, we will be adjusting our sanitary procedures and adhering to any crowd limitations issued by the State of Virginia for this event. We will consistently monitor specific guidelines and recommendations from the university, our government, and the CDC to make all necessary adjustments in August. In an effort to communicate the most accurate information and make the safest decision possible, all changes and guidelines for this event will be posted on both our social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) and our Block Party page the week of the event. The page currently lists how we’re increasing all sanitary measures at events (regardless of crowd size) as we move into the fall, so take a look and see how you can do your part to make this event safe for everyone! Again, there will be more details coming the week of the event to make the best decision possible as the event approaches.
Be sure to check out our full calendar of events, as Block Party isn’t the only thing you’ll want to join us for this fall. See you August 29!
SA Previews: Q 2020
April 20, 2020
With all going on, it can be easy to become stagnant and passive – not wanting to engage actively in the culture around you. If you find yourself in this spot, I invite you to join us during the two-day Q 2020 Virtual Summit. This event is usually done as a conference that can be live streamed in different areas, but with the different restrictions on large gatherings, Q has turned this into a virtual summit for people to watch and listen from home. The summit will be filled with “forty curated talks, panel interactions, Q&A opportunities where we feature the changing state of society.” It’s the chance for students to listen to world leaders talk about critical topics of the modern culture. During such uncertain times, Q is tackling the issues that have risen up and having these important conversations we must have.
By attending this virtual event, students will have the chance to listen to speakers like Francis Chan, Tim Keller, Ann Voskamp, Andy Crouch, Lecrae, Priscilla Shirer, and many more. The first day of the event will start this Wednesday, April 22nd at 9 am CDT, and the last session will start at 7 pm CDT that night. Then, on April 23rd, the event will pick up again at 9 am CDT and go until 5 pm CDT. Liberty students are being offered free access ($99 value) to the summit. Watch this trailer to learn more about the Q 2020 Virtual Summit and register here using the code LIBERTY2020* to access for free!
For more details on the schedule, you can visit their website here: https://conference.qideas.org/.
Enjoy!
*must register with Liberty email to use code above
Written by: Andrew Reynolds
Andrew is a Senior Project Management Major, and enjoys writing for the blog because of the opportunity it gives him to grow as a writer and to challenge himself to see current topics and discussions from a view point he may not have otherwise thought about.
Important Announcement: Upcoming Events
March 16, 2020
Update (4/10): Skillet feat. Ledger has been rescheduled to September 25, 2020. All ticket holders to the April 3 show date will be emailed details regarding your current ticket.
Update (3/30): The Devil Wears Prada feat. My Epic has been rescheduled to October 16, 2020. All ticket holders to the April 17 show date will be emailed details regarding your current ticket.
In light of the Virginia Governors mandate for banning events over 100 guests and the university’s announcement today regarding migrating our academics online, we will take the same measures to ensure our community remains as safe and healthy as possible. With this, our events for the remainder of the semester will be postponed until further notice.
We are saddened to announce that this includes Coffeehouse, as our team has put in countless hours to make this one of the best shows to date. First, thank you to our event staff, production team, and all the acts for the hard work you put into this show. Though your recognition cannot be in front of thousands, all you’ve done has not gone unnoticed. We appreciate you so much! For those of you who have purchased tickets to Coffeehouse, you will be receiving an email regarding automatic refunds within the next 48 hours. Details for all refunds will be outlined in the email you receive. If you purchased a ticket and do not receive an email, please email tickets@liberty.edu.
We are currently working with Skillet and The Devil Wears Prada to make accommodations for both of these shows. If you prefer a refund instead of holding on to your ticket while we work through a reschedule date, please email the Ticket Office at tickets@liberty.edu. We hope to announce a new date soon. Due to the high volume of refunds, please allow 7-10 business days for those to process. If you do not receive a refund after this time, email tickets@liberty.edu.
On another note, as a department, we talk frequently about how important it is to actively engage the arts (music, film, design, etc.), as it helps us connect more deeply with those around us and cultivate a life that bears fruit for God’s kingdom for decades to come. In a season where we are encouraged to be at home and rest, we want you to take the opportunity to find ways to consume, cultivate and create culture with the entertainment realms right at your fingertips. Over the course of the next couple months, our team is going to provide ways you can easily do this – whether it’s dissecting a new album, developing a new skill or reading – we encourage you to use your time to make the choice to do something meaningful and intentional. Join us on our blog, @LibertySA on Instagram and Twitter, or Student Activities on Facebook over the next couple months to follow along.
Thank you for understanding and your patience in the matter. Thank you for an amazing year and we will be ready to come back full force for you this fall with a stellar line up of events! Please email us at studentactivities@liberty.edu if you have any questions or concerns. We love you guys and are praying for your safety and the health of our country during this time!
Thanks,
Student Activities
SA Previews: Coffeehouse: The Late Show
March 5, 2020
Live from Lynchburg, Virginia, it’s Coffeehouse: The Late Show! The theme in the spring semester always brings an original and exciting twist to Coffeehouse. Last year, we put on Coffeehouse: Where Dreams Come True which you, the students, really enjoyed. With each theme, we want to make sure we are offering something completely new, and we think Coffeehouse: The Late Show will give us just that.
Late-night television has been an iconic part of the American entertainment experience for the last 60 years. It was people like Ed Sullivan and Johnny Carson who helped pave the path for the lip-sync battles we enjoy, from Jimmy Fallon and the hilarious carpool karaoke sessions James Corden offers. There are other late-night shows like Saturday Night Live! which has made us fall out of our chair laughing while watching their “Celebrity Jeopardy” skit or listening to Christopher Walken demand more cowbell from a crop-top-wearing Will Ferrell. These shows have always held a special place in entertainment because of what they accomplish. Wherever we come from, we can sit down together to enjoy different skits, interviews, and other hilarious moments on these shows. One of the best parts of the talk shows are listening to the interviews with various celebrities who are invited on. These shows give us the opportunity to relate with a celebrity we may think is nothing like us. But just watch an interview with Emily Blunt talking about her children and husband, John Krasinski, and you will quickly see that these people are going through a lot of life’s issues just like anyone else. Our goal is to capture the excitement and glamour from all these different shows, whether the show be Johnny Carson, Conan, or SNL, the instant you walk through the doors.
At Student Activities, we love taking different parts of entertainment and culture and making them into a fun-filled time for students. Whether you’re familiar with late-night TV or not, we want you to come out to Coffeehouse: The Late Show on March 28 for a night filled with student performances, laughter, and much more!
Written by: Andrew Reynolds
Andrew is a Senior Project Management Major, and enjoys writing for the blog because of the opportunity it gives him to grow as a writer and to challenge himself to see current topics and discussions from a view point he may not have otherwise thought about.
SA Previews: Every Square Inch Conference
February 20, 2020
Our fourth annual Every Square Inch Conference (ESI) is just a few weeks away, and we’re so excited for what’s in store. In conjunction with the Center for Apologetics and Cultural Engagement, we’ll host a series of events centered around the topic of political culture. The name ESI originated around a concept from the Dutch politician and theologian, Abraham Kuyper, who said, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign overall, does not cry, Mine!” As we explore this concept here at Liberty, we look to provide opportunities for our campus to dig into Christ’s dominion over all aspects of culture.
This year, we have the privilege to hear from two of our very own professors at Liberty. Dr. Mark D. Allen is the Executive Director of the Center for Apologetics and Cultural Engagement and Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies. He is the co-author of “Apologetics at the Cross: An Introduction for Christian Witness” (2018) and a contributor to “Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader” (2017). His lecture “Christian Civility in Politics as Gospel Witness” will be our featured event for the conference. Keith Faulkner is the Dean and a Professor of the Law School. He joined Liberty in fall 2015 and prior to that served as an interim dean at Campbell Law School where he led the institution to its highest rankings as a top tier law school in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools 2014 guidebook, competed for three national championships, created Campbell Connections Mentorship Program, Public Interest Fellow Program, and more. He will kick off our events on Thursday, March 5 with a workshop titled, “America isn’t easy. America is advanced citizenship.”
The events will take place March 5 – 6, beginning with a private luncheon with our speakers and ending on Friday night with a concert featuring alternative rock band, Kings Kaleidoscope. Here’s what to expect for all our ESI events:
Thursday, March 5
Christian Civility in Politics as Gospel Witness
Friday, March 6
Kings Kaleidoscope feat. LU Praise
7:30 p.m. / LaHaye Event Space
Tickets start at $15
We hope you join us for these conversations regarding our faith in politics March 5 and 6. For more info about Every Square Inch, visit our website.
Written by: Steph Ward
Steph is the Director of Student Activities. She has a B.S. in Visual Communication Arts: Graphic Design and a M.S. in Management. Steph oversees the overall calendar and vision of the Student Activities Department from promotion to execution and analysis. She also leads the Student Activities staff, comprised of 20+ full time and student worker employees.
SA Recaps: Film Fest
February 18, 2020
Thursday, February 13, we had the pleasure of showing six student-produced and directed films at our second annual Film Fest! It was a great night full of videos, mingling, a Q&A with the directors, and of course, awards.
We wanted those of you who missed the event to feel like you were there, so we’re attaching four of the six films to this blog post for your viewing pleasure. You might want to watch them before reading which awards were won so you can form your opinion, but if you want to cut to the chase, here are the award winners:
Best Acting: “1959 On My Mind” by Cameron Wilson
Best Cinematography: “Jesus Heals a Paralytic in Lego” by Sam Lee
Best Directing: “1959 On My Mind” by Cameron Wilson
Best Editing: “When They Fell” by Philip Pomeroy
Best Musical Score: “1959 On My Mind” by Cameron Wilson
Best Special Effects: “Jesus Heals a Paralytic in Lego” by Sam Lee
Best Screenplay/Writing: “1959 On My Mind” by Cameron Wilson
We had the best time at the event and can’t wait for next year!