Program Rotation 1: Hess Hall

These RAs are awesome.

Like, really.

Hess Hall held their bi-annual Club Hess program this past Saturday, August 25th. Club Hess is put on to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse, and is part of the RA programming requirements.

But, this semester's installment of Club Hess rocked, literally. It was ultra-successful, thanks to a lot of hard work from the entire RA staff, and a lot of thought.

You might be thinking, "Wow, it seems really early in the semester to be having the alcohol and substance abuse awareness program. That usually happens before fall break." That's what I thought, at first. But what I learned from attending this program is just how powerful a building-wide program early on can be when it comes to developing a building unity and building community amongst all the residents.

Staggering fact: Hess had around 250 residents attend Club Hess. TWO HUNDRED FIFTY RESIDENTS! That's huge! The forward-thinkingness of the Hess staff to engage their residents early certainly paid off in a big way during this program, and I am so proud of them for it!

The Hess RAs blacked out the lights and hung black tarp from the ceiling in their lobby to create the "Club." Inside, it really was pitch black dark. [My poor little camera phone couldn't take any pictures.] The RAs had taken black light paint and written facts about the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse on the tarp, along with some other graffiti-like pictures. The space was filled with black lights, lasers, and a "spotlight," that really gave the space a neat feel. RAs David and Annalee were blending up some mighty delicious beverages (thanks for the daiquiri, Annalee!) and the "bar" had a full menu. They also handed jello shots out to residents as they patrolled the dance floor. DJs Cedric and Justin provided an excellent selection of dance music, and the residents really were engaged and enjoying themselves.

I even fist-pumped. This is perhaps the biggest shocker of all.

The general attitude of the residents was very positive, and it was very neat to see resident camaraderie building so early in the year.

A wonderful job and a big congratulations to all of the Hess Hall RAs. You all should be very proud!

Please enjoy the lovely selection of pictures below, provided by the beautiful Amanda Gilbert.

The view from the outside--and a few "bouncers!"



A friendly note reminding residents that Hess Hall wants them to stay safe! This note was right above the "bar." Here, you can see David and Annalee hard at work making drinks for the residents!




Crowd shot!



DJs Justin and Cedric taking requests!

Again, awesome job, Hess!

Until next time,

Chelsea Oliver
WAGA

We're Open!

Greetings, West Side Wolfpack!

I think the title of this post is appropriate for two reasons. First, and perhaps most obviously, residents are here! [More on that later.] But secondly, this blog exists! The East and Apartments area has been keeping a fantastic blog for the past two years, called the Fainting Goat Gazette (check it out here.) The lovely Jeannie Hopper and the fabulous Mona Habibi have done a wonderful job of keeping all of the East and Apartments Area RAs informed and involved, and they have a pretty neat little archive going. It's a wonderful resource for programming, inspiration, and just general coolness.

Note: We are not trying to BE the East and Apartments Area. Nor should we. However, it's not a bad idea to share ideas, is it? It's worked so well for the Fainting Goats that the Wolfpack has decided to give this whole blogging thing a whirl. We'll see where it takes us! We'll highlight awesome floor decorations, fantastic programs, sweet door decs, and we'll honor RAs of the month. If  you as RAs would like a post to promote an event you're putting on, or can think of any other way you'd like to see the blog used, then please let me know! We are by no means limited to my imagination alone!

Now to perhaps the more exciting part of the post, RESIDENTS ARE HERE!

I spent a few hours on Saturday wandering around the courtyard, out to Hess, with a stop by Morrill on my way home. It was chaotic, for sure. By nature, I think it has to be. But I was continually pleased when I asked parents how the experience had gone for them. Phrases such as "piece of cake" and "much better than expected" seemed to be thrown around a lot. Actually, of all the parents I talked to--perhaps 10 or so, which I'll consider to be a statistically sound "sample"--I never heard a negative word. Headstaff, RAs, and volunteers alike put in a lot of hard work on Saturday, and it paid off. Congrats to all on making such a positive first impression--your efforts did not go unnoticed!

And with that, I'll leave you with some pictures from opening day!

HESS

Hess Hall AHDs Amy Gardner and Sam Jackson looking pretty snazzy for move-in!

Hess Hall RAs Jessica Covington and Sarah Gibson running the cart table! They had a great system for keeping track of who had carts checked out and for how long. Great job!

HUMES

The lovely Humes ladies hard at work!

This Welcome to Humes Hall banner provided a neat and cheerful welcome to the building for Residents. Great job, ladies!

MORRILL

Morrill RAs Cole Liles, Marji Itayem, and Lauren Owsley greet residents with smiling faces. They certainly made the Morrill desk an inviting place!

NORTH CARRICK

North Carrick regulated traffic flow by instituting a rule that carts entered on the first floor and exited through the basement. The whole lobby flowed well, and it really alleviated congestion. Good thinking, North Carrick!

REESE

Executive Director, Dr. Frank Cuevas, and Reese Hall Director John Michael Van Horn holding down the fort at the Reese front desk.

SOUTH CARRICK

South Carrick AHD Candice Lott making sure things are running as they should!

All of the hall staffs did an excellent job on Saturday! Congratulations to each of you! And now the real fun begins!

Until next time,

Chelsea Oliver
WAGA