Meet Matt Annis! Matt is a Sophomore Civil Engineering student from Russellville, Arkansas. Along with being a Parent Ambassador, Matt is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and a showroom host for Hotz Honors Hall.
Every year, different residence halls host different kinds of programs for students across campus. Some of these events are geared to help students in one way or another, whether it is socially, academically, or professionally. Other programs are just meant for people’s enjoyment, but they are still an excellent way to meet new friends and make new relationships.
Residence hall programs can be meant for the entire campus or just their specific residents. Typically, smaller social programs are meant for only residents within that hall. These events are developed and run by the resident assistants of the hall. However, this is not always the case. There are social events open to all freshmen too. Examples range anywhere from a rave held in the lobby to kickball tournaments on Maple Lawn to interhall chess tournaments.
For academic programming, some are hall specific as well. For example, Hotz Honors Hall has a ‘Dinner with the Dean” event where students have the chance to enjoy a meal with the dean of the Honors College. Within Resident Learning Communities, professors within the specific college or field of the RLC typically help lead different events throughout the year. Other educational events are open to the entire campus, and these events are advertised through the Arkansas Newswire Email. The Arkansas Newswire is basically an online newsletter that is sent daily to all students. Announcements on different events being held on campus are regularly made in the Newswire, so make sure your student pays attention to them.
During the second semester, more professional events are hosted as students begin preparing for interviews and summer internships. Most professional programs are meant for any student to attend. RLCs might have a local business professional come speak on the industry they work in. Other programs are for on campus positions. Hotz Hall hosts a mock interview night for anyone wishing to apply for an RA position. This event is run by people who currently hold RA positions, so attending the program can really give students an upper hand in the process.
Last year, I lived in Hotz Hall, so most of the programs that I attended were either hosted in the lobby or on the north side of campus. At the beginning of the year, there are several “freshman cookouts” held on the lawn between the Northwest Quad buildings. These cookouts are free to attend, and they are geared to bring new students out of their room and help them meet new people. Outside of Fulbright Dining Hall, advertisements for upcoming programs are typically hung on banners in the lobby of Northwest Quad B. If an event is held in a specific residence hall, there will be advertisements in the lobby of that building as well. One thing that I can guarantee is that there will be plenty of choices for your student when deciding what to do in their free time.