Vanderbilt University Register: Student-run board to coordinate campus events

by Jessica Howard

A new student organization, under the Division of Student Life, was recently formed to unite the major student programming organizations on campus. The Vanderbilt Programming Board will serve as the governing body for campus events as well as a resource for student organizations.

Several students proposed a central student programming initiative last fall. The majority of colleges and universities across the nation have either a programming board or a student union board in place, said Laura Floyd, president of the board at Vanderbilt and a senior studying political science and economics.

"My freshman year, students started talking about the lack of communication of programming [at Vanderbilt] and the duplication of efforts," said Floyd. "With the [Division of Student Life] restructuring, it made it an easy time for it to happen."

In February, 10 students attended the National Association of Campus Activities in Indianapolis. They also traveled to Indiana University at Bloomington and learned about the university's programming board that has existed for nearly 80 years.

"On several occasions [before the board was formed], events would be scattered across campus on the same day, often overlapping," said Candelyn King, adviser to the programming board and assistant director of student activities.

The new organization will serve as an executive board, meaning it will not actually be programming events, but will have its name attached to all campus events. The board is currently holding meetings, open to the Vanderbilt community, each Monday from 8 to 9 p.m. in Sarratt Room 315. The meetings provide a forum for campus groups to discuss and share programming ideas as well as develop co-sponsorships among the groups to provide successful programs.

The VPB will hold centralized functions that will include budget management, calendar planning, publicity, leadership training and leadership selection. Leadership training will include classes on everything from how to hold an effective meeting to how to promote events.

The VPB puts "a big, unifying group in charge of programming," said Floyd.

Student organizations that are subcommittees of the Vanderbilt Programming Board are: Concerts, Films, Great Performances, Homecoming, Impact Symposium, Open Dores, Sarratt Live, Speakers, Special Activities and Rites of Spring. These committees share one of four advisers within the Office of Student Activities. Previously, the committees were advised by one of six advisers in three different departments on campus.

"It's easier for all of us to gather to accomplish things than as individuals," said Floyd.

To introduce themselves to the Vanderbilt community, the VPB will host a programming fair March 14 on Alumni Lawn from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Cowboy Mouth will perform, free food and drinks will be served and the 10 groups making up the board will be on hand to inform the campus about the role of the VPB.

"As VPB adviser, I am very excited to be a part of the enthusiasm and energy that the Vanderbilt Programming Board offers the campus community," said King.