On the night of Sept. 2, University Program Council (UPC) transformed the Campus Green into a lively fall event, complete with carnival-like rides and games, bringing in a crowd of students. Laughter and music filled the air, as students enjoyed a fun, fall-themed and thoughtfully planned night.
UPC is a student-led program board under the Office of Student Involvement. The mission of the organization is to provide programs and events, like the fall fair, that cultivate community and encourage an overall positive campus culture.
For the fall festival this year, UPC staff and volunteers filled the Campus Green with games where students could win prizes, as well as rides that echoed those at a carnival. During the event, music, lights and food brought students together.
Morgan Sivel, sophomore in political science, has been a member of UPC for a month and is already loving it.
“My favorite part is definitely getting to meet new people, especially in the committee, but also the Auburn community as a whole,” Sivel said.
Sivel also hinted that UPC plans to host a spring fair next year.
Samone Poke, student in wildlife ecology and management, and Zymeria Redmond, sophomore studying animal sciences on the pre-veterinary medicine track, met at the fall festival after both attended for the first time. Poke's favorite part of the event was the community and excitement she felt.
“All the events and the tables, being able to make new friends, I just met [Redmond],” Poke said, “All of the rides and the tables where you can take stuff home, it's all just so amazing and so fun.”
The event wasn’t just about carnival rides and games but also about creating opportunities for connection between attending students. Redmond commented on the atmosphere of the festival.
“I would say it's really nice and friendly. Everyone is so welcoming,” Redmond said. "It just makes me feel really good, because all the vibes are positive, so it makes everybody else feel good.”
Redmond further explained how the event had an impact on her.
"I haven't met a stranger yet. We’re all on the dance floor together. We’re making buttons and hats together,” Redmond said. "Like I said, we literally just met each other in line, so it really just adds to the atmosphere of making this somewhere that everyone can come and join.”
As the two students waited in line for one of the carnival rides, fun and memorable music played while they waited, adding to the overall lively atmosphere.
“The environment is so fun and welcoming. Honestly, just so amazing that Auburn would even throw this, I love it,” Poke said.
Anna Wheeler, exploratory freshman, is another student participating in the fall festival for the first time this year. To her, the main goal was more than providing entertainment.
“I would say [it's] just to bring all the students together, even people in the community,” Wheeler said. "Just having a kickoff to fall and being able to play fun carnival games.”
Though there were challenges in setting up the event and making sure everything was ready for students, Wheeler had no problem highlighting her favorite parts of the event.
“Talking to every person who comes through, playing the games, just talking to them and hyping them up,” Wheeler said.
Dani Hoyler worked on the Campus Green at the button stand, an activity where students could choose and make their own button designs. The designs ranged, with options for different colors and patterns, but all supported Auburn University.
Hoyler works for Busy Beaver Button Company but still recognized the impact this event had for students.
“I think it helps create campus community. One of the things that's so fun is the buttons and fun things like this to help people connect,” Hoyler said. “Giving yourself a chance to get different forms of student flair and support, I think it's really great.”
This year, UPC's fall festival ended with new friendships and a reinforced sense of community for Auburn students. UPC's events and experiences like these do more than just provide entertainment; they also offer a safe and positive space for students to come together and share the love they have for their campus.
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