Additional funding creates alternative activities for students on weekends
By Roya Ghorbani-Elizeh
Freshman Tommy French had an interesting Saturday night on campus. Instead of watching the CPB movie or chilling with friends in his dorm room, French was out dodging other students while racing through barriers and tunnels in a game of Laser Tag.
The event was coordinated by the new series Pilots After Dark, which aims to plan free events for on-campus students to meet and have fun together.
The 12 Pilots After Dark nights are planned by groups of four to five RAs with the help of an adviser. With a budget of $800 for each weekend event, the RAs and Residence Life wanted to plan events that on-campus students wouldn't normally get to do.
"It's a great place to see and be seen," Katie Cashman, Fields Hall director said. "You can meet new people and experience great events in an awesome environment."
The preparation for the new late night programming series came into effect after Residence Life received a $20,000 grant. The grant money was then divided among four different groups, which included the Residence Hall Association, the Haggerty Lounge, Pilots After Dark and the Programming Academic Initiatives and Recognition Committee.
"The RAs were limited of what to do monetarily," Cashman said. "Now they have some money to become more creative."
Events planned for the upcoming semester include a Tom's Shoe Party, a Paintball Tournament and a Retro Game Night.
"Planning was done rather hurriedly," Cashman said. "It all snowballed after we got the grant in early November."
Pilots After Dark's main ambition is to bring students from across campus together to meet, socialize and participate in various activities
"People on campus are looking for something to do," Jon Merchant, assistant director of Residence Life, said. "It's a component to let students realize there are activities for students on campus."
The Pilots After Dark series started on Jan. 16 with a Coffee House that featured singer-songwriter Tamara Power-Dutris and free root beer floats.
"We found out about the program right before break and we were the first event, so we didn't have much time," Laura Burchett, junior RA in Kenna Hall, said. "But the success of the night just goes to show that students want events like this."
Burchett estimated that there were over 200 students who attended the first Pilots After Dark.
The next weekend, the RAs treated students to a Laser Tag Extravaganza in Howard Hall. Students were able to sign up individually or in teams of nine for the tournament. The tournament style event transformed Howard Hall into a laser tag course for the students.
On-campus students like French have enjoyed the two Pilots After Dark events that have been offered this semester.
"I think that the Pilots After Dark events are aiming to give students something fun and safe to do on campus," French said. "They don't feel as pressured to go off campus to have a good time."
Although Pilots After Dark is mainly directed towards on-campus students, many off-campus students such as junior Julia Marsh have benefitted from the programs.
"It provides a new and fun option for a Saturday night," Marsh said. "I mean, why would someone not want to go to laser tag or a concert on campus?"
According to Cashman, these events will allow more students to come together to have fun and relax during the weekend for free.
"Pilots After Dark gives students a positive alternative activity on campus," Cashman said. "This program breaks down the barrier of hesitation or trepidation of being involved on campus."
While some students may groan about being bored on the weekends, many students will participate in the activities that have been planned for the Pilots After Dark series.
"This program is important to bring the UP community together," Burchett said. "And as poor starving college students on a budget, free fun is so important."
