Kick Off Week Recap
After a long summer, BSU is back in full swing. Kick Off week took place earlier this month to help students get back into the spirit, and The Comment sat down with a few organizations to discuss their involvement and preview what is still to come.
The Involvement Fair on September 5th was a chance for new and returning students to learn about some of the student organizations and departments at BSU. One of the groups tabling was Student Accessibility Services with their “#BeSeen” Barbie booth. After the first Be Seen day in Spring 2022, the hot pink SAS t-shirts designed to “change the dialogue around disabilities on campus” became an instant trademark of the department. SAS has plenty of programs lined up for the fall semester, including their Access Advocates leadership program, Music trivia, and crafting events. SAS-sponsored events are important, explained Shales, because they allow “students with disabilities to know that they’re walking into a social event with allies.” Interested students can find more information on the SAS BridgeNet site or on social media @SAS_bsu.
Of course, no return to campus would be complete without an inaugural bingo game. Bears are Back Bingo on September 6th had over 300 attendees, according to Program Council President Jessica Jensen (she/her). Events like bingo help bring the campus together and promote PC’s goal of creating a “fun, inclusive, safe space for students, all students, to come and enjoy themselves on campus.” Jensen said that students should also keep an eye out for PC’s Bubble Soccer game on September 30th and what’s sure to be an ultra-nostalgic 2000s night.
The Big Queer Welcome was also back for a third year. After starting out in the backyard of the Barry House in 2021, the event has continued to grow, this year filling the RSU ballroom. Having the event be part of the official Kick Off Week programming “really shows the commitment that our university has to our LGBTQI+ students” said Pride Center President Carolyn Taggart (she/they). Students were able to make new connections and participate in the recent tradition of signing a pride flag to be hung in the Pride Center. Taggart explained that for queer students coming from smaller high schools or colleges without LGBTQ resources, seeing a “big rainbow community” of students, faculty, and alumni can make a difference.
Kick Off Week may be over, but there will still be plenty of opportunities to get involved throughout the fall semester (perhaps even with a certain student newspaper). Students should check EngageBSU for updates about events occurring on campus.
