By Keith Dunn
It’s summertime in Boston and that means a great many things to do, or at least that is what the Student Activities Office is trying to get out. Summester 2005 is boasting 33 activities to take part in over the 14-week term. The office was out and about campus a couple of weeks ago taking active steps to inform students of the activities, giving away free Frisbees and event schedules. Listed activities ranged from day trips to Provincetown to free concerts and movies on the quad.
One popular activity supported by the office was to sell students reasonably priced Red Sox tickets ($10) for three different games during the summer. I received in an e-mail, a notice that the ticket sales for the first game started on May 16 at 10 a.m. Having class, I was not able to make it to the office until 11:45 a.m., but still figured I’d give it a shot and see if any were still available. When I arrived a sign read: ‘Red Sox tickets sold out,’ which was disappointing. I expressed my surprise to the secretary working in the office who informed me the entire thirteen tickets sold at exactly 10 a.m., and that the line was out the office. I can see why the line would be outside the office as the department is offering a great opportunity to the students.
However, the offer was not considered in proportion to the student population. I understand tickets for these types of events do sell out quickly, but not one minute after the start of selling, and not to such a small population. If the office is willing to spend time and money providing activities for the students of NU and actively advertising them, they should consider the size of the school. Maybe they could offer these events to a population more respective of our numbers and not invest in Frisbees. As a Resident Assistant, I know advertising is key to the success of a program, but you must also predict the appropriate response from your audience and judge accordingly.
Props to the department for getting the word out, but if availability for similar programs is as limited as this one, students might find themselves wishing they were on the beach instead of actually getting there.
– Keith Dunn is a middler pharmacy major.
