As the school year comes to a close, on-campus organizations usually prepare for a week filled
with events. Not this year.
Due to the construction in the union that caused the third floor to be closed, organizations are
forced to either cancel their week of events, or compete with other organizations for space.
Many students view the construction as an inconvenience.
“We were able to still conduct some of our big events, but it required us to be very flexible
and innovative in how we program,” said Kiandra Brown, president of Caribbean Students
Organization.
Organizations are now expected to book venues for their events further in advance.
Sara Garfinkle, president of United Students Government, said that student organizations should
plan dates ahead, even if they are unsure of the exact date. Organizations can always cancel the
event if there are issues but at least they will have the date set for their event.
With limited space for events, organizations are faced with the issue of having their event run the
same time as other on-campus event.
“It was also difficult because there are plenty of other organizations on campus that do
programming as well, so it was difficult to work around that and what we needed to do to
program as our own organization,” Brown said.
Brown also said that because space was limited, in order for the event to be presented at a
different venue, her organization had to redesign the way that they wanted their event to look.
Because construction started a week before it was supposed to have started, organizations were
left with the unpleasant choice of canceling their events.
“It was horrible and difficult, the union wasn’t communicating with us about renovations,” said
Juliet Amoah, president of Fashion Students Association.
Amoah also said that because of the space limitations and lack of communication, Fashion
Students Association had to cancel their week, which was scheduled for the last week in March,
when construction began.
According to Bernadette Tribble, Associate Events Manager, the union should be open for events
spring of 2013.
“Unfortunately we just can’t create space that does not exist,” Tribble said.
Despite the setbacks of their events, students still remain optimistic about events for next
semester.
“Next semester will prove to be difficult in booking rooms as well, but the show must go on,”
Brown said.
Tribble stated that Rockwell Hall, Burchfield Penny, Butler Library 210, Moore Complex and
Bulger Lobby will be available until the re-opening of the union. She advises students to starting
booking rooms now.
Sade McKenzie can be reached by email at mckenzie.record@live.com.