Photos by Brookelyn Davis
Article by Madeline Fredette
NEWBERG, Ore. – The Student Activities staff at George Fox University (GFU) makes sure that students have an exciting event to attend on a weekly basis, from school dances, Bauman productions, to haunted houses and even line dancing. The planners behind these events hardly get the credit they deserve, especially as everything seems to run seamlessly. So, how do they do it?
A look behind the scenes shows the layers of brainstorming, planning, and execution that each student event takes, some which are even prepared months in advance. Roles on the team are delegated and tasks are assigned, to ensure students have the best time possible.
“We always want to do things for the students. This is your student experience in college and we want to make it the best for you,” said Olivia Hughes, events assistant for Student Activities.
Student Activities hosts weekly meetings to reflect on past events and prepare for upcoming ones. The events team brainstorms ideas, often thinking a month in advance. Smaller events are prepared the week of; larger events, like the Haunted House, take one to two months of planning.
The marketing team works on promotional videos and social media posts during these meetings to engage the student body. The graphic designers send in their posters three to four weeks in advance for print. Isobel Espinor, a graphic designer, makes one or two posters every two weeks, using Adobe Illustrator to finalize her designs.
There are many different jobs to fill on the Student Activities team. Daphne Simmons is the events lead this year, with five other students helping her on events staff; the marketing team has a lead, assistant, two graphic designers and a couple photographers and videographers.
Hughes appreciates the sociality of Student Activities as a busy student who also works a full time job: “A lot of my friends and social life come through this job,” Hughes said.
Sometimes unexpected things happen the day of an event. For example, the unexpected wind on the day of the Harvest Party required staff to find a quick solution for holding down the decorations.
Hughes doesn’t see needing to improvise in a negative light, rather knowing that a change in the plan will have to be part of the plan. “Theres never been a time where there's not a solution to an issue that we run into,” said Hughes. “There's always a pivot or a different way.”
The upcoming Haunted House event will require more planning, as the basement of HMS is a smaller and new location. A lot of creativity will go into handmaking the signs and spooky decorations. Promoting the Haunted House is a found footage-style promo video, sent to Hughes before she even knew it was being made.
According to Hughes, student volunteers are always appreciated for events like the Haunted House, such as for decoration set up or actors to play the jump scare roles.
A new addition this year is the Speed Dating event, which, according to Hughes, was the most requested event. The success of an event is determined by participation and a positive student response, meaning that listening to the desires of the Student Body is a priority for Student Activities. “We really do listen to student voice,” said Hughes. “What events do you guys want on campus?”
Some events that take additional planning or resources can’t be hosted every year, like Game Show Game Show; Hughes believes students like a switch up. Director of Student Experience Kara Holcombe can be emailed with event suggestions or students can fill out this form.
The Student Activities staff grow close over time, as they spend countless hours making sure GFU students have a fun year. “Every moment is really fun because of the people, it never feels like I am ‘working’ working,” said Espinor.
Keep an eye out for upcoming student activities, including the Haunted House taking place this Oct. 30!
