Student Life Flourishes Before The Break

Maybe flourishes isn't the best word to use but it's definitely alive and active. Since the start of the year the number of well attended events on campus has been astonishing, and in the past 2 weeks just as impressive. To put things in perspective here is a list of some of the events that the DSU has been host or co-host to since September 1st

1. Big Ticket Concert - Wintersleep
2. Big Ticket Concert - Ill Scarlette (Free)
   
3. Big Ticket Concert - Bedouin Soundclash
4. Big Ticket Concert - Joel Plaskett (Free)
5. First Class Bash
6. Society Fair
   
7. Oktoberfest BBQ and Games
   
8. Hockey Home Opening Celebration
9. Dal-O-Ween
10. Public Federal Election Debate
11. Federal Election Results Party
    
12. SUB's 40th Birthday Celebration
13. Tony Lee Hypnotist Show

Now yes some of these happen every year, and may spark the question of why should we receive praise or recognition for something that always happens for something that's "part of a job". Well first of all when things are done well and when people enjoy themselves, learn something, are helped or are simply made to smile because of someone else, that someone else deserves a thank you. So let me be the first to say thank you to everyone who has helped me since I took office in May. I would not have been able to even begin to approach the level of success I have had without everyone on my committees, in and around the office, my friends and of course support from the general student body. Every time an event is a success it makes me happy, I'm able to smile and enjoy myself (at least eventually) and I feel like I've helped someone. And I wouldn't have that feeling if it weren't for the people who have helped me, so thank you again.

The second reason I chose to bring this up in my latest blog is I seriously doubt that a large portion of the student body has or had knowledge of a lot of these events. Yes we market them, yes we publicize these events ahead of time and do everything we can to get the word out, and yes our target audience is our students. Our funding for these events comes from student fees and it is my opinion that every student on campus should have the opportunity to at least be informed about said events and services offered by their student union. There are countless ways to get the word out to the campus community about how we are trying to give back to the students that gave us these jobs in the first place but above anything else, word of mouth is the most effective. So if you have been to an event, plan on going to one, or even if you aren't, tell someone about it. Tell them a few things the DSU has done this year, tell them what's coming up and feel free to tell us what types of things you'd like to see that we haven't done yet. Of all the organizations you will deal with in your entire life I guarantee the DSU is one of the few (if not the only one) that will listen to what you want and try and give it to you without looking at their own agenda first and what is best for them. Let me tell you one reason why that is so... what is best for the students we serve is what's best for us. And as I said before when I see a bar, concert venue, lecture hall, the quad, anything full of people that are happy because of the work I've done, I owe every person there a big thank you for making me smile.

Fall Fest is over and it's looking like winter is around the corner

So what kind of trouble have I been getting myself into since the last post? I think an infinite amount of trouble is always the best answer to that question or similar ones.

Fall Fest was quite a success if I do say so myself. I think we made some good headway in actually informing students that this is an annual event that the DSU holds each year. On Wednesday the 15th we treated our fellow students to a free exam-stress-relieving Oktoberfest BBQ and celebration. Free food including hot dogs, sausages, cotton candy, and pastries from The Gingerbread Haus on Queen Street were distributed to over 200 students. Thursday's event on Carlton had to be canceled due to scheduling conflicts. However Friday's Hockey Home Opener was a huge success. The stands in the DAL Arena were full, and in a collaborative effort between the DSU and the Dalhousie Athletics Department enthusiastic fans were treated to free beers, free hot dogs, free pizza and I myself distributed several prizes courtesy of the athletic department to the louder fans. Of course the Tigers won 4-3 in overtime and as a result students who attended the after party enjoyed $9 pitchers of beer. I'll admit I indulged a little bit myself.

The Bedouin Soundclash concert on Saturday night was nothing short of incredible. With a crowd of over 400 people in attendance the two opening acts Mishka and Zaki Ibrahim warmed up the crowd with unique music all of their own until at about 11:15pm Bedouin took the stage. At this point I was nothing short of tipsy but I can confidently say the last time I saw the Grawood that packed for a concert and with that much energy was when Matt Mays played a show about 2 or 3 years ago and tickets were only $5. All in all it was one of the best shows I've been in attendance for in a long time.

Next on the agenda is the SUB's 40th Birthday. So join us on Friday November 7th in the SUB lobby around lunch time for some celebrations including a big birthday cake, prizes, games and no party would be complete without loot bags! That evening we will be celebrating in a little more style (or lack there of) in the Grawood with a HUGE Glow Party. There is NO COVER, cheap drinks (cause I mean come on we're all poor students, and even if your not less is more) and the Jagerettes will be on site with "drink samples" and prizes to give away. If you've got any suggestions on how we can make this super special day even better drop me a line

So all this behind us, winter is rolling around the corner which means, snow, shorter days, cold and all that fun stuff. But it also means the Holidays are on their way as well, which are easily my favorite time of year (given nothing comes along to ruin it for me i.e. illness, totally not getting what I asked for, or some heartless she-devil stomping all over Christmas. Yes you hit a nerve when bringing that up. What? I brought it up! Get out of my office!). So as finals start creeping up keep in mind that there's a lot of good things on their way as well so no need to stress too much ;) Until next time,

Kris

So I finally have a blog!!!

So after about six months of me being nothing but lazy as far as this blogging thing goes, I've done it, I'm on here, I'm out there, which may or may not be a good thing.

Let's sum up the past six months as quickly as we can, I spent 90% of my time planning Orientation Week, 8% planning Dalfest, 1% on a party for the summer students and 1% was free time.

Now that we're all caught up the project I'm currently putting most of my time into is our Fall Fest celebration from Wednesday Oct.15th to Saturday Oct.18th which will be closed off with a Bedouin Soundclash concert in the Grawood! The show will be Saturday the 18th, tickets are only $15 and available at the information desk in the Dalhousie Student Union Building. A full schedule of events for all three campuses can be found at this link: http://dsu.dal-acm.ca/campuslife/fallfest

But I should be sure to mention to keep an eye out around campus for specially labled hockey pucks which you can collect and bring to the Grawood on Friday Oct.17th during the Hockey Home Opener Pre Party and redeem for a free beer!

That's it for now, I don't want to get into too much right away. New update soon!

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 14TH