By Jalyn Bolyard, Online Editor
Spring break is over and gone, and it’s now time to focus on the second half of the semester. Don’t stress out, though! WLU’s Campus Activities Board (CAB) has some awesome events and plans coming up in the next few months.
There’s a lot of behind the scenes work for our favorite activities and events on campus. When planning out events, the “biggest part,” according to Campus Activities Coordinator Kate Billings, is managing the budget.
“We try and partner on many events to execute and bring events to campus,” Billings said. “I think SGA is a great partner who has been there to support our department in the planning of events. As much as we would like to bring in a big name comedian, that may cost us $10,000, which is a large chunk of our budget. So for our department, it is hard to find a balance between offering events weekly or just doing one or two big blowout events.”
However, besides the budget, one must also look at facilities, equipment and manpower. Intramurals, for example, is based on facilities; although CAB and Athletics have a great partnership, not every sport is available each semester due to timing or hands-on work. There’s also the factor of who will put on the event, such as students or if a company will come in. All of these factors go into deciding how and when an event will work.
Future events in the second half of the semester include the ever-popular fitness programs. Zumba will continue to be on Mondays at 7 p.m. and Cardio Bootcamp will still be on Tuesdays at 5 p.m., both located in Blatnik Hall. Once the weather warms up, there are also plans to have a larger Zumba day on the quad. If one is looking for a more laid-back activity, Bingo, Karaoke and Paint n Sits will continue until the end of the academic year. The next Bingo will be March 29 in the Student Union Ballroom.
“We definitely look forward to our 5v5 Basketball League in the ASRC through our intramural program,” Billings said. “I also just love when the weather gets nicer and we can begin to put out the volleyball net, Jenga, checkers, etc. on the quad for students to use at their leisure.”
In April, there will be the Health Fair on April 13, Environmental Education Day on April 26, and a possible movie night in the pool, with a poll deciding which movie, and also a movie night on the quad. There are other events planned as well, but they’re tentative due to possible budget cuts.
Of course, then there is Spring Fling. The dance will be held on Friday, May 5 in the Student Union Ballroom. The event is on-campus this year due to the popular vote of SGA’s Twitter poll; SGA is in charge of planning and executing the event. However, CAB is hoping to collaborate with them as well to make it a successful on-campus event.
There are also plenty of clubs hosting activities this semester as well, like Martial Arts Club, Gaming Club, P.R.I.D.E. and more!
“One goal was to actually meet more with our clubs and organizations in helping them program events,” Billings said. “I have definitely seen that. Maybe not all events will happen this semester, but the groundwork is being laid. More and more students are getting involved in our clubs and they do awesome events.”
“I probably have at least 2/3 meetings a week if not more with clubs about their upcoming events and how we can help support them,” Billings added. “Programming from the organizations has definitely grown since I arrived in 2014, so I can’t wait to see how the work we do now will pay off in a few years when the organizations are doing their newer tradition programs.”If any student wants to get more involved with on-campus activities, they are more than welcome to join CAB. They meet at 4:15 p.m. in the Rogers Hall Lounge to discuss new ideas for this semester and next fall.
“This was the first full year of students utilizing and getting involved in the organization, so next year I definitely see them taking an even bigger role in campus events,” said Billings.
To join CAB, feel free to email Billings at [email protected] or CAB President Emily Stephens at [email protected]. Also stay up to date with campus activities by following the Housing and Student Life’s Twitter account.
View schedules for March and April here:
Photos provided by Kate Billings
