Though budget cuts and a thin supply of advisor resources have forced Whitman’s various activity programs, such as Coffeehouse and the Campus Activities Board (CAB) to merge, program leaders are planning on having weekend activities next year.
“We may not have the Coffeehouse program, per se, but we will have Coffeehouse-type events”, said sophomore Matt Coleman, manager of Coffeehouse. “It will just have a new face.”
Programs such as the ASWC Programming Committee, CAB and small organizations such as Coffeehouse, the Arts and Crafts Series and Stevens Gallery will merge next fall into collective body known as the Programming Board.
The program will have fewer staff members and distribute all activity responsibilities amongst the board members, which will be headed by newly elected Programming Board Chair Stephen Stradley.
“Technically, there will no longer be a Coffehouse or CAB program, as the manager positions will no longer exist,” said current CAB chair, junior Kali Stoehr. “However, with the new program board restructure there is going to be the opportunity to evaluate where and how we want to spend programming time and money, and we still hope to have Friday night events.”
“I’m really excited to be the new Programming Board Chair because I feel like the new setup gives us the opportunity to collaborate more effectively and utilize a great volunteer base,” wrote Stradley in an e-mail to the Pioneer.
For students who worry about having an entertaining activity outside of partying on weekends, the Programming Board still plans on having Friday night events, according to Stoehr.
“I hope to see [next year]… an event happen at Reid every Friday night, whether that’s a big concert, board game fest or an open mike night,” said Stoehr.
Both Stoehr and Coleman feel positive about the change in the way activities and programs will be organized in the future at Whitman.
“It’s kind of exciting to have a little more flexibility with weekend events,” said Stoehr. “I think that we can provide adequate alternative activities for those who are not as into the party scene.”
“There will definitely be a musical event every week. At least, that is my hope,” said Coleman. “One of the big hopes is that the Programming Board will attract [more] students, so that students will not just feel the need to party but go to concerts and movies.”
Coleman also hopes that the Programming Board will bring in local college and community artists to explore talent close to home.
Stoehr and Stradley have high hopes that the Programming Board will add more to the Whittie weekend by altering the way programs are run.
“I hope to see with the new programming board […] rearrange some of the mid week events like Monday Night Films to take place during the weekend,” said Stoehr.
“The range of events that the new board is in charge of is incredibly diverse,” wrote Stradley. “Programs like Coffeehouse will not be cut, but rather will be strengthened through a bigger workgroup and better communication between activities.”
While there will be a fair amount of change to the way activities will be run next year, Coleman is hoping that the Coffeehouse atmosphere will continue.
“I hope we have a Coffehouse-type event every week or every two weeks,” said Coleman. “It’s a great way for the community to get together […] I love working it, and I think it will continue next year.”
