FACULTY SPOTLIGHT:
DEPARTMENT OF STUDENT ACTIVITIES
NIHARIKA PUTTA
Q: What are some differences or challenges that you’ve faced when redesigning programming for this fall?
A: The biggest challenge is how many people can be present at an event. Generally speaking, our office is involved with events for larger groups. Even working with the Campus Activities Board to help with concerts or clubs for large events like culture shows looks different. We just can’t accommodate the scale of these events in person. Q: How did the department adapt to these obstacles? A: We have still been able to do in person programs each week following the new guidelines. Every Friday, we have We Wear Blue and have students out there DJing for us during the event. So far this has been pretty successful and the largest one had over 200 people come through. We also have found that the Grab-and-Go events, where people can come by and pick things up, have had solid numbers as well. Q: Could you explain the challenges and work ethics involved in creating engaging virtual activities? A: It definitely takes a big personality to keep people in tune and engaged virtually. For example, for virtual events we do trivia every week. To liven this up we also have themed trivia as well. The first game is regular trivia and the second game often has a theme like Broadway, music, and Seinfield. One of the upcoming themes is Harry Potter! Q: What has been your favorite part of planning events this semester? A: One of the things I’m enjoying is when I’m out there for events like We Wear Blue to have face time with students and see everyone stopping by. One of the benefits of having to do a combination of programming has been that the department has been able to connect a lot more with the student run clubs. Students are also getting to know our department more and learn how we can support them in their event plans. I’ve definitely gotten to know more organizations than I have previously since I have been at Brandeis, going on about 3 years. Q: What advice do you have for students who are trying to navigate life on or off campus this fall? A: Definitely pay attention to the What’s Happening emails that go out every week. We usually have most of the events listed there. If you happen to be in a virtual zoom event, don’t be afraid to start a conversation in the chat! Over the summer we did trivia and bingo virtually. Bingo was really successful, partly because students who participated were very lively and engaged in the chat. They were really able to get to know each other and over time formed connections as if they had met before. But, they were actually all across the world; students were attending from everywhere including the West Coast, East Coast, Africa, and even China! Q: What event(s) are you looking forward to this semester? A: There is a scavenger hunt coming up soon that I’m really excited about! We are using technology with it to make sure students from anywhere can participate. The information about this event should be coming out in a week or so [mid-October]. Also, although it might look a little different, The Quest is also coming back this year! |
Dennis Hicks, Department of Student Activities
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