Gator Activities Programming announced the theme and dates for the 2024 Springfest last Tuesday, Feb. 6. This year’s theme is “Barbie,” with a “Ken Day” on Thursday, April 11, a “Barbie Day” on Friday, April 12, and a concert Saturday, April 13.
The Barbie theme was chosen because, according to GAP’s Director of Community Relations Syd Hammerman, ’25, “It’s relevant. It’s fun. It’s easy. Throw on some pink. Come hang out.”
The specifics of the events are still being worked out, so details are currently scant. Hammerman did say to expect a “Mojo Dojo Casa House” in the Henderson Campus Center.
In addition, GAP President Thion Lee, ’24, noted that the South Asian Students Society and the IDEAS Center had already signed up as collaborators for Springfest this year.
All that has been released regarding the concert is the date. In addition to the planning being unfinished, the concert is organized by the Major Events Committee, a collaboration between GAP and the Allegheny Student Government. Because of this distinction, GAP cannot release information regarding the concert without MEC’s approval.
The Tuesday evening announcement was made at the GAP event “Chomp and Chill,” a general body meeting that was open to any member of the student body.
The ‘chill’ was what Lee wanted to emphasize. He said that a “general body meeting” sounds too formal, “as though we’re just gonna be sitting there talking and just running a meeting.” The name was given to reflect the relaxed atmosphere.
While the event did include a presentation introducing attendants to the board and the Springfest announcement, most of the time was spent playing games like the card game Old Maid and knock down the jugs with plastic cups.
The organization’s executive board wanted to attract as many students as possible for two reasons. The first of these is to receive suggestions and feedback from their fellow students.
Lee said that the student-run organization is the only one “that plans events for the entire campus.” While clubs host events for a tight-knit group of like-minded students, GAP’s events typically encompass the entire campus, with an average attendance of over 200 people. Big festivals like Wingfest, Springfest that “try to incorporate everyone,” according to Lee.
Because of this, students are encouraged to come to events like Chomp and Chill so they can be informed about what is planned and potentially voice their opinions regarding what events they would like to see and attend.
“If you think an event was s—, then it’s s—,” Lee said. “We want to know, what can we do better? What can we do further to make sure that you’re showing up to our events?”
The second reason is because all of the current GAP executive board members will be graduating this semester, save for Hammerman. The organization is now scouting for non-senior students interested in leadership opportunities.
“GAP is a great way to be a leader on campus because you get to plan the events for all the students, take in people’s requests and make a fun environment,” said GAP Vice President Katherine Perez, ’24. “GAP is all about fun. I think ASG is more like the government side; not to say it’s not fun; but we’re more focused on social things on campus.”
This was made explicit at the event. Not only was it explained during the presentation, but the last question of the GAP-themed Kahoot that attendants played was “Are you interested in joining the GAP board? Yes or No?”
“No” was the incorrect answer.
This is not a new issue for GAP; Hammerman said that they made it onto the GAP board because it had two vacancies at the time. This is why they have served as a board member since September of their freshman year.
Students who want to reach out to GAP can attend the monthly leadership labs, which give students the chance to see where the GAP office is like and to talk to the board members. The first lab of the semester will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 20.