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Show 9 spammed, according to students surveyed on campus. Others said that they feel overwhelmed with print advertising, as well. I dont pay attention to posters because theres so many of them, said Caitlyn Laffey, first-ye- ar nursing major. Interviewed students said they feel better when someone reaches out to them to extend a personal invitation. Its a lot more fun when our RA comes and knocks on the door saying we should go than if theres an email saying everyone should go, said Amanda Jones, dance major. But even if the RA comes knocking, students mostly dont care or feel like their participation is unvalued, according to several students interviewed. For campus event planners, like Doug Powell, the general manager of Bon Appetit, this makes things a little awkward when no one shows. So whats the catch? 100 percent of the students interviewed agreed on one thing: free food. Its cool to just get free food and hang out for a bit, said Christian Camp, first-yebusiness management major. I liked the free hot chocolate marshmallow thing. That was cool. A bunch of college students hanging out and eating food is apparently the ideal event. According to students interviewed, it doesnt really matter what the event is if theres food and its free, theyll first-ye- ar ar go. is apparent and they feel the obligatory attitude of the event coordinator in fulfilling his or her job duties. The food forum held in February had almost no attendees and the ones that showed were practically begged to attend, according to Rod Glore, a staff writer for The Forum who covered the event two issues ago. and Several first-yeasophomores said events were more enticing when they felt personally connected to them. Based on this response, the Spanish Film Festival has seen increasing success because it reaches its audiences in a personal way. I went to a Nicaraguan rs film because Im Nicaraguan, so I thought that was really cool, said Natalie Saavedra, first-yepsychology major. While having a personal connection to its audience makes the Spanish film events more successful, the group pays a hefty price in the time and money that go toward its festival series. Its a couple thousand dollars to do the Spanish Film Festival said Eileen Chanza Torres, assistant English professor who is in charge of the event. The film rights alone are $3,000. Many of the events the interviewed students said they attended were ones that involved extensive planning or a larger budget, such as Halloween dances and theater ar performances. Dances are the big ones, said Kirby Kelly, sophomore justice studies major. Also, the sex talk they do is pretty cool. Kelly and students Shelby Mann, sophomore nursing major, and Emily Sugg, sophomore justice studies major, said they like to go to dances and plays because everyone goes to those. Having friends who go in groups to events makes all the difference in attending anything, according to these students. But what gets their friends to go? While free food has its own seductive power, students said that they prefer to maintain at least some of their dignity by being solicited in a decent manner. The effort put into marketing campus events goes a long way. In comparing five events (see sidebars), ones that had used advertising techniques other than student email and posting on the school website generally had better attendance. (Caveat: if the event is required for a class or teachers mention it as an option for extra-credi- t, that practically guarantees attendance, according to 13 out of 13 students interviewed). For many students, the way in which theyre reached is an important factor in the way they perceive the event. The use of student email leaves or many feeling spammed, according to students surveyed on campus. Others said that they feel overwhelmed with print advertising, as well. I dont pay attention to posters because theres so many of them, said Caitlyn Laffey, first-yenursing major. Interviewed students said they feel better when someone reaches out to them to extend a personal invitation. Its a lot more fun when RA comes and knocks on the our door saying we should go than if over-solicit- ed ar theres an email saying everyone should go, said Amanda Jones, first-yedance major. But even if the RA comes knocking, students mostly dont care or feel like their participation is unvalued, according to several students ar interviewed. For campus event planners, like Doug Powell, the general manager of Bon Appetit, this makes things a little awkward when no one shows. So whats the catch? 100 percent of the students interviewed agreed on one thing: free food. Its cool to just get free food and hang out for a bit, said Christian Camp, first-yebusiness management major. I liked the free hot chocolate marshmallow thing. That was cool. A bunch of college ar students hanging out and eating food is apparently the ideal event. According to students interviewed, it doesnt really matter what the event is if theres food and its free, theyll go- - ? Spanish film festival Cost: $3,000 minimum Time to put it together: 1 year Marketing strategies: Posters around campus, posters around the city, Facebook event page, Spanish Times coverage, syllabi requirement, student email. Why it's held: Promotion of art and community engagement, fostering of global consciousness and cultural awareness, promotion of film minor. Attendance trend: Attendance is increasing with ''180 people at the last event. Elections Cost: $600 - $700 Time to put together: 4 hours (administrative activity) ASWC Marketing strategies: Flyers, social media, student email, via student campaigns. Why it's held: Required through ASWC constitution Attendance trend: 430 votes in 2014 election, 630 in 2015 word-of-mou- th election. SAC Events: Taboo Talks (our lecture series). The Roost Project, Black Tie Casino Night, the block party, capture-the-flacomedians, tailgates. Roast N' Toast, Mocking Jay buyout, dodgeball tournament and coffee house buyouts. Cost: up to $1000 Time to put together: Events are scheduled a year in advance, specific events take one to six months of planning beforehand. Marketing strategies: ASWC Communications team creates advertising materials and strategies for SAC events. Posters, social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, emails that are both sent to the entire undergraduate and graduate student bodies. This year they launched SAC App: search "Westminster SAC" in apple, android, or amazon app stores. Why it's held: According to Camrin Rivera, SAC President, they want to foster a sense of fellowship and community among students. Attendance trend: varies around 200 attendees g, Open Student Forum Cost: Up to $30 dollars (printing costs) Time to put together: 2-- 4 weeks Marketing strategies: Flyers, social media, student email, word-of-mout- h. Why it's held: according to Kailey Kornhauser, ASWC president, ASWC believes it is beneficial for students to be involved in decisions that affect them. Attendance trend: Approximately 30 students Food Forum Cost: Employee wages, food costs, other operating costs Time to put together: Planned in advance, two week execution Marketing strategies: Facebook, Bon Appetit webpage, flyers, social media, student email, Why it's held: It is held twice a semester so that student and faculty members can voice their opinions on what should stay andor be added and what should go in the cafeteria. word-of-mout- h. |