Due to the new student activities fee, included in tuition this year, the Student Activities Board will be providing students with several opportunities to go on trips, listen to guest speakers, and attend events on and off campus.
"SAB is looking to change the game in our approach to student activities at SHU," Assistant Dean of Students for Student Activities, Mariel Pagán said. "We are using the feedback that we received over the past year, from student focus groups and surveys, to revamp and revitalize the activities calendar."
SAB's new outlook focuses on quality over quantity.
"SAB has identified programs that have occurred in previous years that are very popular amongst students, and so they will be done again, but in bigger and better ways," Pagán said. "Examples of programs that we will continue to provide on a larger scale include: Blue Day, Winter Ball, and Spring Fling."
SAB's travel co-chair and rising junior Ricky Harzula expressed enthusiasm about the re-energized program.
"We are pumped to see many students get excited about what SAB has in store for the new year," Harzula said. "Trips and events will be on a grander scale, allowing more students to get active and join the fun."
A new initiative SAB is excited about is a speaker series starting in the fall.
The theme of the series this fall will be "He Said, She said." Speakers will be brought in to discuss issues relevant to healthy relationships, gender issues, gender equality, and others.
"In the fall, we will be bringing Mike Domitrz, founder of the Date Safe project on October 17, and Hill Harper, author and actor from CSI:NY on November 4," Pagán said.
SAB's plans also include different types of entertainment.
"We recently met with a company called GrooveBoston, an entertainment mobile club company, and discussed with them coming to SHU," Harzula said. "We don't have specifics yet, but if/when they come to SHU, they can transform the field house into a huge dance club with lights, lasers, and loud music.
Pagan said in addition to considering GrooveBoston as an option for the campus, the idea of having a concert is a popular idea amongst students.
"SAB plans on delivering," Pagán said. "We really want to hear from students who they want to see on our campus."
SAB will be updating students regularly through the University website, flyers, posters, Facebook, and Twitter.
Pagán said that she encourages students to join SAB and approach its members with their ideas and suggestions.
Timothy Cullen can be reached at timothy.cullen@student.shu.edu
