Fall 2014: In Review
December 4, 2014
Josh Yeoman and I, 2 of the Associate Directors of Student Activities, oversee 5 event supervisors and 21 student workers combined. We decided there would be no better way to summarize our semester than to have our event supervisors do the honors. All 5 of them (Ben, Drew, Kari, Mariah, and Ross) work 25+ hours a week in planning, promoting, executing and analyzing our events. Sounds like a lot, right? It is! We wouldn’t be able to function without them, and the events you love couldn’t happen without them either.
We asked several questions regarding the semester, because, of anyone, they’re in the perfect position to weigh in – they’re students, they’re staff, they’re dedicated, and they care about getting the job right with our mission in the forefront. Here’s what they had to say:
What was your favorite event of the semester and why?
D: I really liked Art Expo. It was a completely different event from anything we do – it was what we were going for: classy. The decorations and having everyone dressed up all played a part.
K: I’m deciding between Fall Festival and concerts in the LaHaye Event Space. I loved attending John Mark McMillan – it’s great having a more intimate atmosphere for concerts; it makes a huge different. Fall Festival is great because everyone has fun and brings their friends!!
M: Mountain Bike Rides. I loved seeing the students who didn’t even know how to ride a mountain bike come out. It was awesome to see people coming back week after week!
In what ways did we accomplish our departmental mission?
D: One moment that sticks out to me was at a CFAW table in November in front of the Hancock Welcome Center. I met a few guys from different states and one of them didn’t know anyone that was going to be there. Through a game of corn hole, and the help of one of our staff (Cherish), they all met! After the game, the guys went and hung out together. It was really cool to get to see that.
M: For the outdoor events, we brought people together who have never done many of the outdoor events we offer. I got to experience this community we’ve built from the start that we’ve never had before.
R: For Back to School Bash, there were a couple instances where you see participants doing a certain activity or game; I got to meet people and help them form teams for games they’ve never played with people they’ve never met. It’s so fulfilling to see 50 people playing Catch Phrase by the end of the night and really seeing our staff foster relationships in practice. There are a lot of times we may not see that happen at a specific event, but later on we’ll see those people still hanging out with others they’ve been introduced to at our events.
What are you most looking forward to in the spring semester?
R: First things first, I’m hopeful to go into next semester with more experience under our belt. I’m hopeful that we will continue to give students the opportunities to express what artists they want here and to see people who may not be large enough for a Vines Center show, but to fill the LaHaye Event Space. Second, I’m excited to see new events that we haven’t done. I love the surprise factor for students or for us as employees – just planning, executing and promoting our entire events calendar.
K: I think Ross left nothing for the rest of us… I second what he said!
B: I am excited to introduce more learning experiences into our outdoor events.
What is something that most people don’t realize about Student Activities that you’d like them to know?
B: We want people to come to our events; we’re not here just to punch a time card! We care about the students. All we ask is that you come with a good attitude and we’ll take care of the rest.
K: Our planning is as detailed as possible, down to what candy we buy or what flavor cotton candy we get. We care about the people that are there. We’re excited about who we foresee coming, so in turn, we buy the best of what we get for them.
M: We’re as excited about the event as you are and how they turn out is important to us. For the Camping Trip, there was a lot of behind the scenes stuff, but it was cool during the event to see how all of that planning played out on the trip.
Considering each of you are in this role for the first time, how do your responsibilities line up with what you expected?
B: The job has been pretty much what I expected. I was talking to a friend who plays sports. Her college career has been completely focused on the sport she plays, whereas my job has been my college life. I thought it was interesting to see that I can compare myself to someone who is so dedicated to something like an athletics team and that I feel that way about this job.
D: When I came into this position, I had no clue how much extra work there was going to be. I had built in my mind that I’d hang out for office hours, we’d go to events, and then we’d make sure it worked smoothly. It’s much more than a “supervisor” position – I’m a supervisor and a planner.
R: I’ll say this: being with SA for 2.5 years prior to my Supervisor position, I had assumed I’d know what was coming. Once I stepped my foot into this role, it was a lot more than I expected. I would say that it completely humbled me in a way I haven’t been before – through it all, I come in and learn something different about myself and SA each day. I apply those learning experiences to being in the office, at events and in my life, but I’m passionate about the mission and that makes me willing to get SA to where they want to be. Will we ever get there? Hopefully one day!
The 2014-2015 school year is off to a great start and we’re looking forward to another exciting semester of events!