KennMerchant02252010

= Exploration into Student Activities: Difficult Occupation =

By Kenn Merchant kenntheconverse@gmail.com


 * BANGOR** - Have you ever wondered what it would be like to plan an event for hundreds of people? Calling organizations and locales to schedule an event is harder work than it may appear to be. After talking with Anne Schmidt from the Student Activities office, it turns out there is more work involved in setting up the big event calendar that students depend on for pastimes.

Despite advertisements located all over the campus through mediums such as the Student Activities calendar next to the office, online at the Husson website, bulletins, digital screens near Cressy’s Marketplace, Facebook, Twitter, Posters, and the “What’s Happening Folder” on First Class, for some reason students are having a hard time finding these events. Displays of social networking are right in front of our faces everyday. And this far from all that Schmidt does for the Husson and Nescom Community.

Attending the National Association of Campus Activities meetings, Schmidt as well as students who are employees of programming is able to come up with events and ideas for students to do all year long. There is a regional meeting during the fall and an international meeting in the spring. This is where Student Activities is able to block book events. Block booking consists of group event booking, which provides cheaper rates for entertainers to travel. Some of the events are suggestions taken from students who walk into the office and ask. Of course not all student suggestions can be booked, but Student Activities tries to be fair to everyone.

Talking with a couple students, they revealed their opinions about Student Activities. One student, Robyn Ryder says, “I like student activities… they give us stuff to do.”

While some students are excited about what is offered to them, some students think nothing of it. “I don’t participate,” says Tim Ferris. “And I don’t have an opinion.”

“There’s always a fair amount of activities available to students who wish to participate,” said Ryder.

This is true more than most people may believe. Student Activities has roughly 80 to 85 events scheduled every year.

According to Schmidt Student Activities provides “an eclectic mix of events” such as comedians, musicians, hypnotists, and novelties. In fact, during the week after spring break Student Activities will be providing students with Vicci Martinez, a female vocalist and guitar player from Latin American at 8 p.m. in the Furman Center on March 23. March 24 at 8 p.m. in the Gracie Theatre there will be a Culture Fest featuring Step Afrika, a group of six to nine dancers from all over the world, who perform with a style that is a mix of hip-hop and traditional African dancing. Twilight: New Moon will be featured on March 26 at 9PM in Kominsky Hall. Not to mention Spring Week will have “a lot going on” said Schmidt.

Do you think you have what it takes to be a programmer for Student Activities now? It isn’t the easy job that most people make it out to be. Anne Schmidt definitely has one of the most difficult occupations on campus. Especially considering all the students that Anne has to appease. If you would like to check out what is happening recently or in the near future, check out the Student Activities calendar at: [|__http://www.husson.edu/index.php?cat_id=288__].