This semester, life in the Commons community has been thriving! With new events and creative additions to old traditions, students and faculty have prioritized safety – while also making sure everyone has fun on the Hilltop.
Here’s a timeline of all the amazing Commons events that have been hosted, and how COVID guidelines were upheld – ensuring college can continue in a safe way.
Kathy Crow Cookie Delivery
What better way is there to kick off the semester than with some cookies? A yearly tradition for the commons, Kathy Crow’s Cookie Delivery event took place on August 24, with RAs going door-to-door to deliver Tiff’s Treats cookies to their residents. RAs wore face coverings and maintained social distancing protocol while delivering the cookies.
And that’s not all! Beginning in August, student leaders in Kathy Crow provided many health- and safety-minded events for their residents. These events have included FiR Keith Robinson’s CROW series and a Fantasy Football league hosted by the Commons Council.
“Of course – social distancing guidelines, pre-packaged food, masks, etc. are all used to make sure these programs are safe!” said Kathy Crow Residential Community Director (RCD), Macon Betts. “We also host Fun Fridays, where I hang out in the Quad, meet students, and give out snacks in a similar manner.”
MoMac at the Movies
MoMac continued their tradition of MoMac at the Movies, with the addition of some precautions against the spread of COVID-19. There were two dates and a different movie each night! Students could attend each movie virtually or in-person with socially-distanced seating. Unfortunately, food was not served. These changes allowed for the tradition to safely continue, and for students to have the best time possible.
Additionally, MoMac continues to provide many of their regular events. Sunday Night Snacks and Variety Hour are still be available for residents. New events include “yard game nights” and outdoor picnics. Other events are “fireside chats” and providing a coffee cart for residents.
MHPS Voting Registration Drive and Cookies
As a COVID-friendly take on MHPS Faculty-in-Residence’s (FiR) Sunday Night Snacks, the Commons hosted a Voting Registration Drive featuring the delicious, famous cookies from FiR Liljana Elverskog. The event changed locations between the building lobbies and the MHPS quad.
“For Covid-19 precautions, all treats were individually wrapped for students to take, masks were required, and students could not remove their masks to eat while they were at the table with the treats,” MHPS RCD Nathan Faust said. “We moved the event outside so they could sit together, while socially distanced, to enjoy their treats and build community – the main goal of the event. The voter registration forms were available at the table in a folder as to not hand them out.”
Cockrell-McIntosh – Cockrell Eats, Treats, and Pop-up Speakers
“Due to Covid programming restrictions, most of Cockrell’s programming this year has been virtual although some has been in person,” said Cockrell RCD Sarah Ballman.
Cockrell has adapted many of its traditions to be grab-and-go, with FiR Sandra Duhé packing Cockrell Eats meals in individual containers and passing out individually-wrapped treats to residents on Fridays.
“One of the largest precautions that we have had to adjust to is that all food has to be pre-packaged and can only be to go,” Ballman said. “Sandy has done an amazing job of adapting many of her programs so that she is individually packaging meals or snacks and having students register for a time to come and pick up their items. In addition, Commons Council and RAs drop off program supplies at residents’ doors and then having everyone get onto a Zoom call for the program – think Bob Ross painting over Zoom.”
RA Programming and Commons Council have put together virtual and socially-distanced events for residents. Activities include a Fantasy Football league, playing Among Us as a Commons, walking groups and yoga groups, Bob Ross painting events, and door dec parties.
Boaz Commons
Boaz has been able to maintain many of their weekly traditions through social distancing and following university guidelines. These traditions include Sunday Night Snacks, Wake Up Wednesdays, S’Mores Night, Dessert Receptions, and conducting Commons Council. New additions for this year include a Legend of Kora watch party, a ping pong tournament, and a “mocktails with Madison” lawn hangout.
“We are working on a few more weekly programs,” Boaz RCD Madison Mucci-Ferris said. “The sand volleyball will return as a weekly program, two of our leadership members are going to host a Tuesday Evening weekly hangout, and we will have a Saturday morning meet-up. We also are in the works of bringing back one of our favorite community traditions – Korean BBQ night.”
Upcoming Commons Events
- HUB: Commons Cup Gingerbread House decorating competition
- Thursday, Nov. 12 6PM-8PM
- Armstrong Commons: Home Is A Journey – Raising awareness about homelessness.
- Saturday, Nov. 14 12PM-2PM
Stay tuned for highlights on more awesome Commons events happening in the future!