Socially, occupationally, spiritually, physically,intellectually and emotionally are the six ways Student ActivitiesCouncil members try to connect with and serve the student body.
"We try to provide diverse activities for the student body thatspan demographics," said member Wade Stack.
Stack, the current Special Events chair for SAC, was recentlyselected to head the council as next year's president.
Stack said the organization attempts to bring the students ofThe University of Memphis fulfillment and enjoyment, a statementthat is mimicked by the atmosphere in the SAC office.
Board members and visitors toss red and blue balls back andforth across the room, which is brightly colored by posters andsign-up sheets. Students blend and mix, making it impossible totell who is in charge. A phone rings and Stack fields questionsbefore making his way back to the center of the room, where a groupof couches is formed for conversations and comfort.
For a University of roughly 20,000 students, the organizationthat serves them is small. SAC has eight students on the executivecouncil, 20 to 25 student members who form committees and another50 to 75 members who help at times, Stack said. Membership is opento any student.
In spite of the small numbers, SAC has organized big events thisyear, ranging from concerts and panel discussions to Homecoming andTiger Get Fit Week. The events are what most students know aboutSAC. What most do not know is how much work goes into theevents.
Twice yearly, a SAC committee attends conventions of theNational Association for Campus Activities to choose programs forthe next year. Eight weeks before a program is scheduled, SAC boardmembers reserve locations and get details in order, like schedulingcatering.
Four weeks out, publicity begins with posters, fliers andpromotions, sometimes even yo-yos and Frisbees. On the day of theevent, SAC members set up before it starts, help entertainers andvendors run the event and stay after to clean up.
SAC board members deal with a lot of paperwork and red tape toclear their events, but it all starts with an application. Hopefulsfor next year's postitions filled out applications the week afterspring break and were then interviewed by outgoing board members,advisors, graduate assistants, representatives from MinorityAffairs and the student involvement leadership. The process endedin the selection of the eight executive board members.
In addition to Stack, other current members have moved up tonext year's executive board, including Kate Hill as vice-presidentof programming and Meredith Kimmel as entertainment chair.
New members are Kristen Lurry, vice-president of co-sponsorship;Aletra Cobbs, Cultural Arts chair; Sehrish Siddiqui, Ideas andIssues chair; Chase Fryer, Special Events chair; and ShaneaGethers, University Traditions chair.
"We are building SAC into more of a fixture at The University,"Kimmel said. "A lot of people aren't aware of SAC or don't care,but you should really take advantage of SAC."
Angie Dunlap, coordinator of student activities also saidstudents should take more advantage of SAC events.
"Most events are free or very reasonably priced, and once you'vegraduated, you will wish you had taken advantage of theactivities," Dunlap said. "You might be surprised at how much funyou have."
Dunlap said she is excited about next year with SAC and expectsthe new board to have fresh ideas and perspectives.
"Things are in a good place to grow from," she said. "I'm reallyexcited about building on what we put into place this year."
| Wade Stack— SACPresident-elect | Meredith Kimmel— New SACEntertainment Chair |
