Otter Pops, free activities and an escape from that never ending pile of homework. The Student Activities Board (SAB) makes this stress relieving formula jump off the page with their Wednesday activities.
Every other Wednesday during Summer term, the Student Activities Board features a free activity for all students on campus. This Wednesday was free mini-golf on Lee Lane, between the Wilkinson Student Center and the Harris Fine Arts Center, where students ate Otter Pops, met friends and had the opportunity to win a free Jamba Juice or T-shirt.
“It was good to not be in class and be on the golf course,” said Cameron Haas a Junior from Bellingham, Wash. studying Public Health and Spanish.
Many students saw the poster advertisements, Facebook posts and table flyers for the mini golf activity and came to check it out. While some came with expectations of what the activity would be like, most had a good time and kept an optimistic attitude.
“There aren’t as many people here as I expected but it’s fine, it’s mini golf, we got otter pops and a chance to win Jamba Juice,” said Katie Ryan, a Freshman studying Political Science.
Fortunately, the SAB uses the warm summer weather to their advantage. Most of their activities are featured outside so students can enjoy the outdoors and easily attend.
“We found that activities outside where people walking by can just see it and come to it really work well,' said Lee Gibbons, faculty coordinator of the Student Activities Board.
While the SAB enjoys organizing the annual free mini golf activity, it is only one of the many activities they plan during the year. The Acoustic Explosion, BYU's Got Talent and BYU's Best Dance Crew are just a few of the entertaining activities they feature year round. Each activity is catered to the interests of the students and the SBA provides the means to escape from your daily academic routine.
“Student’s don’t go out and get involved enough and do stuff,' said Steven Fortney, an SAB member from San Diego. 'There’s students that all they do is just their major and that’s all they do and they don’t ever get out and participate and be involved on campus.”
Even though it is nice to get free stuff and escape classes, students can also benefit from the collaborative and unifying atmosphere each SAB activity provides and they try to include everyone.
“The success of the activity isn’t necessarily determined by how many people are there because there are certain activities that cater to a very small group of people,' said Fortney. 'That’s our goal to include people on campus and make them feel like they’re at home here.”