By Megan Lester |
It’s sure to be raining men tonight as the Villa Man Auction takes place in the Chiles Center. The Auction, which raises more money than all other dorms fundraisers combined, has moved to the Chiles Center in order to accommodate all the spectators. Although the 19th Annual Man Auction will soon be underway, some dates from last year’s auction remain pending.
Junior David Rinella and a group of his Villa friends were supposed to take a group of girls to the Oregon Coast. The girls paid for the date ($1,100 total), but as some of the girls were studying abroad the next semester, it never took place.
“We went down to the Oregon Coast … or at least that was the plan,” Rinella said. “The girls had study abroad the next semester, so it actually never wound up happening. It’s still, I’m told, in the works. We’re still emailing them to my knowledge.”
One of those girls, junior Chelsea Shannon, was optimistic despite the rain check.
“Their dance was to Shania Twain’s “Man I Feel Like a Woman,” in jean shorts,” she said. “It was hilarious! It was $110 a person, not everyone paid equal amounts, but that was fine! We still haven’t gone on our date. It’s been a year.”
Last November a group of Mehling RAs won a date with the Villa RAs, but the date was then deferred until this semester.
“We’re going next week, so it’s kind of pushed back,” said Dayna Okumura, one of the Mehling RAs. “We had scheduling conflicts last year. None of us were free at the same time. (Waiting) is totally fine!”
Okumura will be taken out by the Villa RAs, including senior Stan Thompson.
“Everyone has to be somewhat flexible,” Thompson said. “The groups are getting bigger … balancing 16 different schedules, especially in college, is near impossible. The RAs and the RAs of Mehling … one of us was on duty every week!”
“Most of the dates get taken care of fall semester,” Thompson said. “They try to do their best to be prompt with it.”
The Villa Maria Hall Council has tweaked the process this year to help ensure the dates happen.
“That was a problem last year, but we’re really working this year to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” said sophomore Colton Smith, a Villa Hall Council member. “That’s the big thing we’re doing this year – there’s one person who's going to be our main contact for a group of girls. So she’s in charge of getting the amount they agreed to pay.
“There’s more emphasis on getting the date happening - we’re supposed to have it done by spring break,” Smith said.
Thompson is confident that the dates will be even more reliable this year, despite the event’s expansion.
“We’re trying to do our best to be reliable in that sense. Go check it out. We’re in the Chiles Center now,” Thompson said. “It used to take place in the Villa lobby so obviously there’s been some growth. It gives not only us exposure, but Holy Cross Charities. Even if you’re not bidding, go watch!”
Man Auction History
Originating in the Villa Maria Hall lobby, the Villa Man Auction is one of UP’s most successful fundraisers, and a longstanding tradition. Villa’s 19th auction will be held, for the first time, in the Chiles Center. The fundraiser benefits Holy Cross Charities. This year, proceeds will benefit the work Holy Cross Charities are doing in Peru. The Villa Man Auction raises more money in one night than all other dorms combined.
Where: Chiles Center
When: Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Cost Attendance: Free
Benefitting: Holy Cross Charities, district of Peru
What to bring: Open mind, open heart, open wallet
