By Lauren Seynhaeve
Many sophomores are experiencing something called the "sophomore slump." This is a phase in which students are depressed and lose focus because they are not yet deeply involved in their major, school, friends, class and/or future.
In response to the sophomore slump, there will be an event called "Sophomore Soirée at the Crystal" on Friday, Feb. 26, held to strengthen the sophomore class identity.
A few months ago, the Retention Task Force allocated $10,000 to a committee to help enrollment retention. This steering committee, which includes members from Student Activities and Alumni Relations and Career Services, asked the student government for ideas at the beginning of the year.
"We wanted to see what we could do to improve, enhance or strengthen class community," said Student Activities Director Jeromy Koffler, head of the steering committee.
In the end, members of the senior class said that they already have an established identity, the junior class will be having an event soon and several events had already focused on freshmen. The sophomores stuck out as the class in need of help.
"The sophomores said they were a little bit of the forgotten class," Koffler said. "It's a little bit of a social experiment. We're trying to create something for a need that's never been done before."
The Sophomore Soirée will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Crystal Ballroom. Held in three main parts, the night is designed to help sophomores connect with other students, network with alumni and have a fun night out.
"We want to celebrate who they are and remind them that they are a vital part of the University," said Caitlin MacMillen, member of the steering committee and Alumni Relations.
The Soirée will begin with a keynote address, most likely given by a Portland motivational speaker and author of "Major in Success," Patrick Combs. Combs experienced the sophomore slump while he was a student at Lewis & Clark College, and ended up transferring to San Francisco State University.
Following the keynote address will be a networking dinner. Each student will be seated according to major or interest, with at least one UP alumnus at each table.
The end of the night will include a performance by Comedy Sportz, an interactive improv group designed to look like a sporting event.
Around Feb. 1, UP sophomores should expect a formal invitation to the Sophomore Soirée at the Crystal. The success of this event will be determined through a survey at the end of the night and retention statistics by matching names of attendees and students who return to UP in the Fall.
"I think it's a really great idea, and I think it's a good time for sophomores to network and see if this is really what they want to be doing," said sophomore Emily Lindgren.
