By Isa Riaño, Advertising Manager
Saint Leo University recently notified all students that COVID-19 restrictions, such as masks and event sizes, have been lifted. What does this mean for the Campus Activities Board (CAB)?
The CAB is a campus organization responsible for planning interactive and enjoyable events for the student body. Some of its plans were limited last school year by Saint Leo’s COVID-19 policies, which limited the number of students allowed at events and mandated mask-wearing. However, the organization hopes to have more to offer students this year.
“Students can expect more of us now that there will be no masks or social distancing,” said Ashley Tucker, a junior majoring in criminal justice. “There will be more events with a larger number of people attending.”
Tucker is the Student Government Union’s Vice President of Activities (VPA). As VPA, she oversees CAB.
Students can expect to see various on-campus events from the beginning of the fall semester, when classes are just starting, until the end, when there are Christmas and other holidays. Among them are a welcome back bash, pumpkin carving, movies on the lawn, a Saint Leo talent showcase, Christmas games, a gingerbread house competition, and a snow slide.
The CAB also aims to embrace Saint Leo’s core value of community by hosting events that highlight different cultures, such as Hispanic Heritage Month and Native American Heritage Month.
In addition, the CAB hopes to work with Saint Leo faculty and other campus organizations on some events. For example, Dr. Passard Dean, a professor of accounting and economics, has planned a TED talk about the transition to life after college. CAB intends to collaborate with him to make this TED talk available to the student body.
CAB has also planned a haunted Snyder mansion and trick-or-treating in collaboration with Residence Life.
Lastly, the CAB has planned some activities in which students can socialize and actively participate, such as photo booths, Christmas cards, and monthly bingos.
For many years, bingo nights have been one of CAB’s most popular events. They are also extremely competitive because they offer prizes such as televisions, smartphones, Nintendo switches, and apple watches. However, the main reason students find them appealing is that they provide an excellent opportunity to socialize and have fun.
“Students should attend bingo nights because they are interactive and allow students to make new friends,” said Tucker. “The way these events bring students together is amazing, and I believe it is important for students to take advantage of that opportunity.”
While attending events without COVID-19 restrictions sounds exciting, some students may be unsure what to expect. All they have to do is go out and have fun.
“My best advice to students is to come out, be themselves, and have fun,” Tucker said. “College is all about putting yourself out there and discovering yourself.”
During the first few weeks of the semester, freshmen will be able to attend some CAB events. For instance, on August 28th, there will be a freshman-exclusive bingo at 6:30P.M. in the SCC Boardrooms; on September 2nd, there will be a welcome back bash from 3:00P.M.–5:00P.M. at the Lakeside Front with a Camp Leo Theme and a Scavenger Hunt; and on the week of September 5th, there will be an involvement fair, where various campus clubs and organizations will have some of their members tabling, inviting students to join, and providing information about their organizations.
Attending CAB events is more than just a way to have fun; it is also an opportunity for students to meet new people.
“When we move into this new environment, we all want to make friends,” Tucker said. Attending CAB events allows students to meet new people who may turn out to be lifelong friends.
CAB anticipates more on- and off-campus events and partnerships with various clubs and organizations now that campus has been fully reopened and COVID-19 guidelines are significantly less restrictive.
Students should keep an eye on their emails because they will receive a newsletter listing all of the upcoming campus events. If they have any questions about attending events, they can contact Ashley Phelps, the Assistant Director of Student Activities, at ashley.phelps@saintleo.edu.
