RipOlympics 2016: Battle of the Tartan was a huge success! Well done to everyone who volunteered and participated! Check out these fantastic team photos from the event:
Monday, April 11, 2016
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
10 Backpack Essentials for the School Week
Each person may have a different set of essentials for their backpack. Throughout the years, I’ve found these 10 things to help me out the most during the school week:
1) Pencils and pens
This one is a no brainier, but for some reason some people still seem to forget a pen or pencil. It’s always a smart idea to have a pen and pencil in another compartment in your backpack just in case your sole writing utensil happens to disappear.
2) Hand sanitizer
Having a small hand sanitizer in your backpack helps you out more than you would think. Sometimes, right before a meal, it’s inconvenient for you to go to the bathroom and wash your hands – especially when you’re on campus. But if you have this on you it’s a quick way to kill those germs.
3) Water bottle
It’s definitely important to stay hydrated during the day. It keeps you healthy and energizes you. The health benefits are endless, so make sure you’re sipping on your H2O all day!
4) Planner
Writing down future due dates and test dates is extremely helpful. Even putting events from your personal life in there is a good way to stay organized, so be sure to add your work and club schedules in there are well. Staying organized in this way will alleviate a lot of stress in your life.
5) Laptop
Besides the obvious reasons that your laptop is important (assignments, email, etc.), it’s also a way to pass time between classes or things you have to do on campus. Which leads me to…
6) Headphones
Don’t be that annoying person who forgot their headphones and decides to watch a quick Netflix episode between classes. Also, other people aren’t interested in listening to your music most of the time, so having headphones with you while on campus is essential!
7) Gum/mints
Many people don’t think about this one, but it can really help you out. Sometimes the cafeteria might serve something with not the best aftertaste and you have to meet with a group project right after. It’s convenient to keep with you just in case you really need it and don’t want to feel self-conscious all day.
8) Wallet
You want to keep your personal cards and money with you always, but DON’T leave your backpack unattended with these times in it. Plus, you’ll never know when you might be craving something from the vending machines between classes and need a quick dollar bill.
10) Chapstick
Don’t you hate the feeling of dry, cracked lips that you keep licking during class? Having Chapstick in your bag at all times is a great thing to remember so you don’t have to use a friends with the potential to get sick.
Now, check your backpack to make sure you have these 10 crucial things to get you through the school week!
Friday, April 1, 2016
Room Lottery is Coming Up!
Thursday, April 7th in East Hall Little Theater!
RAs, make sure you are letting your residents know all about it! TAJ staff was busy last night making butcher block signs for their floors:
If you would like to make some added publicity or email your floor, here's some info for you!
Room Lottery Info:
What: This is where you will choose your rooming assignment for next year
Who: Everyone must attend Room Lottery EXCEPT…
· May 2016 Graduating Seniors
· Students who will be RAs next year
· Students living in Greek Orgs next year
· Students living on a themed floor next year
· Students living in Campus Apartments next year
· Students studying abroad next fall
When: Thursday, April 7th
· 6:00pm = women who will be SENIORS next year
· 6:40pm = Women who will be JUNIORS next year
· 7:20pm = Women who will be SPPHOMORES next year
· 8:15pm = Men who will be SENIORS next year
· 8:50pm = Men who will be JUNIORS next year
· 9:30pm = Men who will be SOPHOMORES next year
Where: East Hall Little Theater
How: This is how room lottery works…
· Step One = you’ll receive an index card with your name and lottery number
· Step Two = You will come to the front of the room when you/your roommate are called
· Step Three = You will choose a room from those shown as available on the floor charts
Why: If you do not attend room lottery you will not have housing for next year.
If you cannot attend, please send someone in your place – a roommate or friend – with a signed piece of paper giving them permission to select for you!
Fool's Paradise!
Hey everyone!
There is an awesome opportunity tonight if you or any of your residents enjoy playing games!
Hope to see you there!
There is an awesome opportunity tonight if you or any of your residents enjoy playing games!
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Here's a #ThrowBackThursday from Winter training! TAJ staff built an amazing beyond-all-belief blanket fort using an endless amount of blankets and couches. The TAJers were replenished with the ambrosia that is Domino's pizza. #nom. Look how cute they are!
If you're looking for a program idea, why not have a blanket fort building contest? Or a pajama party?? Of course, it wouldn't be complete without pizza. Because pizza is bae.
Get a load of THIS RA's story
By now I hope you all have discovered the beautiful RA resource of Reslife.net...
One of the awesome things you can find on this site are funny stories that RA's have submitted, here's one that should be shared with you all because while we see crazy things at Ripon sometimes, I don't think anyone here has had to deal with this one...
Scary Tampon Drawings
In my year as an RA, I saw a lot of crazy things. From drunken messes, to shiny fits of rage between roommates, I didn’t think anything I saw was too out of the ordinary.
That was until the tampon bandit struck.
Someone, (we never figured out who), decided to show their artist side in the form of painting the bathroom stalls…with used tampons. Out of five stalls, they struck four of them leaving each with a 2’x2′ drawing. Some drawings were simple geometric shapes, some were initials, and one was just a big long streak of menstrual blood. The first night I found it, I was so shocked I didn’t know what to do.
My girls had done some pretty dumb things, but this was above and beyond what I thought they were capable of. The second time it happened, I just cried. My co-RA and I tried to find humor in it, but it didn’t work.
It didn’t happen a third time, and for that we are thankful, but that was the worst night of being an RA I have yet to have.
And of course I know that by saying that, I am bound to have a worse night yet.
-Anonymous RA
For more funny and relatable stories, check out http://reslife.net/you-will-never-believe-this/
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
The first Milk and Cookies with RHD M went off without a hitch!
Shoutout to 1st floor Tri for being super spectacular and coming out for some sweet treats!
If you're interested in attending more super awesome Milk and Cookies with RHD M they take place every Monday night at 7pm! Next weeks location is 2nd floor Tri!
Monday, March 21, 2016
Bulletin Board Season
It is Bulletin Board season! Nominate your friends on staff or yourself for having the coolest boards on campus and we will feature them here on the blog.
This board has some sweet 3D elements!
Show me the boards people!!
Sunday, March 20, 2016
It's the FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!!!!!!
TAJ is starting the second half of the semester off right with some spring cleaning! Stop by our new and improved RA office -- we have a fancy new set-up (and a full candy bucket!). Best of all, we've made some new friends!
Meet Nugget and Pepito, the new TAJ fish! Nugget is very playful. So playful, in fact, that it took M about a dozen tries to get a good picture of him.
Pepito is smaller than his brother, and pretty shy. He loves to hide.
If you're feeling stressed and need a little mental break, come by the Johnson office and chill with Nugget and Pepito. They have a bubble-maker and a water-fall filter (because TAJ has very spoiled fish) that are surprisingly soothing to listen to while you watch them swim around. :)
Welcome back from Spring Break!
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
When all you want to do is relax...
7 Things You Hate Being Asked over Break
We've just finished midterms and hopefully you'll have some time to be able to relax, watch Netflix, and eat all of the food in your parent’s fridge (if you went home). But be prepared – your family will most likely hound you with the same annoying and exhausting questions over and over again. Even though you just saw them over winter break! Don't worry, you are not alone:
1. Got anybody special in your life?
Oh, how this question is so hated. You don’t need to be reminded of how single you still are. Apparently you can’t attend any family event without them wondering where your significant other is.
2. How’s school going?
Sometimes school is going great but other times you just say it’s “good” when deep down you know you’ve been drowning in assignments and are nervous for the second half of the semester. It’s questions like this that make graduation seem so much more exciting.
3. Why don’t you call home more often?
I’m busy with… studying, Netflix, and spending the money I don’t have. It’s hard on days when you’re actually being productive to remember to call home and some days you’re just plain scared of getting asked these same questions through a phone call.
4. How did midterms go?
At this point, you are sleep deprived and not ready to discuss the horror of the week that went down. You’ve already put that stressful nightmare behind you and have moved on with your life.
5. Do you have any break plans?
While most of your friends are traveling the world, you find the answer to that question going something like, “I’ll be sitting in my bed eating all the food at home that I don’t have to pay for after waking up at noon.”
6. What do you want to do again?
Most of us don’t exactly know our post-graduation plans…we’re just trying to get through school right now. Thinking about the real world is much too scary.
7. When do you go back to school?
You just started break and your family already has you thinking about going back to school? How rude.
Spring Break is here!
Hello everyone!
Now that Spring break is here, take some time for yourself to sit back, relax, and enjoy every minute you have off! Whether that be getting caught up on studying, or a road trip to a southern beach destination with some friends, please make sure you get the most out of this because after we get back, it's all hands on deck until the end of the year! Here are a few awesome ways to get the most out of this spring break!
Now that Spring break is here, take some time for yourself to sit back, relax, and enjoy every minute you have off! Whether that be getting caught up on studying, or a road trip to a southern beach destination with some friends, please make sure you get the most out of this because after we get back, it's all hands on deck until the end of the year! Here are a few awesome ways to get the most out of this spring break!
1. Adventure.
Although this activity includes a bit of traveling, it doesn’t require plane tickets or reservations. Grab a couple of friends or family members and adventure. Go to a place you’ve never been before … whether it’s local or not. A nearby river, hiking spot, shopping mall … anything! Finding some time to do something new will be an essential part of your spring break, and you will have those memories forever!
2. Be with friends.
Spring break in college means seeing your friends that go to other schools. Enjoy the week with them, and take the time to catch up on everything happening during the semester. Make time for them, and bask in the relaxation of the break.
3. Spend time with your family.
Although seeing your long distance friends is super important, make sure you make some time for your family. Take a couple of days and dedicate them to pure family time. Go on a trip, go out to eat … do something with them! They have been waiting for this break for a long time just to spend some time with you, so take advantage of it.
4. Relax.
Spring break is truly made for relaxation. It is placed in the middle of the semester, and is meant to take some weight off of your shoulders. Although you’re probably still going to have some school work to do, make sure that you make some time for yourself. Appreciate being home or wherever you’ll be, and spend your time off wisely.
Spring break can be a great time, if you use it wisely and appreciate your time off from school. Do adventurous things, explore, catch up with friends and family, and keep up with your school work (ugh). We only have a week off, so use it to your best advantage!
Have a blast everyone! Can't wait to see you all back at Ripon!
iACEs for April/May
Did all of you see the iACEs for February/March? You should read that again too-click here :)
March 22- The Mitzvah project. This is a one act play about half-Jewish soldiers in the Nazi army in Tod Wehr. It sounds like it is pretty awesome. The interactive part of this program can be dinner before where you share all of things you know about Judaism and the things that you want to be sure to ask.
March 23- Feel Yo'self as part of Sex Week! This is a program about self pleasure and being confident in our sexual health. The interactive part of this program can be a question jar in the bathroom that residents can leave their unanswered questions about sex toys, self pleasure or things related and you can all read them aloud on the way to the event so you can be sure to get them answered at the event!
March 25- The Condom Fashion Show! This event seems to be interactive in itself! Get a team together to craft with provided condoms to make the best art you can to win Condom Royalty. Make sure to take plenty of photos because these would make great facebook gems.
March 29- Public Speaking as a Career Builder. There is a dude that was featured with TED talks that will come in and talk about working together to raise awareness about crime and hate prevention. This has the possibility to give you some great tips for bystander intervention or other language to use when we confront issues in society. The interactive part can be getting your floor together to make some community expectations that they can take to their floors next year to keep a positive community flowing at Ripon.
March 29- Women, Religion and Spirituality panel for Women's History Month. This is a great event to talk about our faith and how that relates to being women in today's society. Any and all genders would benefit from hearing how one group in our society feels about their lives. This is another event where the interactive part can be a floor dinner and walking to the event together.
March 30- Reproductive Rights Struggle. This is another Women's History Month event that everyone should be interested in, especially with the debate over Hobby Lobby and its contraception coverage and a political climate that might change the way family planning is done in our country. The Interactive part can be a google doc where you all get together and share the recent news as it relates to Reproductive Rights-t here are a lot of things out there-and get prepped to ask some great questions.
March 30- Ripon After Dark make your own popcorn event! Tavia has some sweet things to help make your popcorn "pop" with flavor. The interactive part of this can be your very own March Madness of popcorn catching in your mouth! Create a bracket and have your residents battle it out at the event for the 2016 March Popcorn Madness certificate that you make.
April 2-Mock Quinceanera. Have you ever had a sweet sixteen party? Well if you are from a family with Spanish culture connections you probably did not celebrate 16- but 15 (quince-get it?) instead! Learn about the 15 celebration and party like you are 15 all over again. The interactive part can be getting dressed up in our dancing shoes, bow ties, bolo ties, and fancy clothes to celebrate then head over to Great Hall together!
April 8-Rip Olympics! Bringing back a classic! Dean Ogle created this event as one of the Super Six events back when he was the Director of Residence Life. Sign up as a floor to win events that are designed for partners and teams to compete in-winner takes home gold. The Interactive part here can be getting together with coordinated outfits and sweat bands to guarantee your win.
April 14-16-The One Acts! Senior Theatre majors present their senior sems this weekend in these plays. They are shorter and usually so much fun to watch. Your interactive part can be a quick scorecard you put together to vote and pick best actress, director, set design, and other things to award your own One Act Oscars.
April 15- Murder Mystery time! If you are not on the planning committee for this Super Six take some people with you to participate, it is a pretty good time learning all of the things about this 1920s Cruise over New Years Eve. This event is also interactive but you can also get dressed up before you come, you can puffy paint matching clue notebooks, or vote at this event too for your favorite actor/actress.
April 16- RAD presents HOT WING contest ala Buffalo Wild Wings. There are plenty of wings to eat without the hot sauce too-so come and try. The interactive part here can be making your own hot wing eating bibs out of shopping bags-to prevent mess of course!
April 17- The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is playing. It is usually a great show and you can make it interactive by everyone going to the event learning how to whistle a song together. Then you can whistle the song all the way to Rodman.
April 18- A TED Talk about poverty, money and love in the Center for Social Responsibility Lounge. I love TED talks and the interactive part here can be sharing a list of great talks (like Monica Lewinsky's talk about cyber bullying) for everyone to watch. Then create a Google Form for them to rank order them in everyone's favorites. Then you can share that list with David W. Scott in the Center for Social Responsibility so he can know what your floor thinks are great TED talks to consider for the future.
April 19- Pinata Making. For real? You can make a pinata as a floor? That sounds great-then you can fill it with candy, tie it to a tree on campus, ask for a broomstick or baseball bat from somewhere and hit it! Do not forget a blindfold from Mapes so it is fair!
April 27- Ripon Idol brought to you by RAD. Nominate someone from your floor to show off their skills, silly human tricks, juggling skills, etc. Then everyone else should paint tshirts, or their bellies to show their support, a little fan club for your talent star. Lead the way to the event announcing that the soon to be Ripon Idol is on the way, or telling everyone you meet that Ryan Seacrest endorsed your candidate. :)
Tuesday May 3 is the last day of class and the last day to program on campus-so get your proposals in!
March 22- The Mitzvah project. This is a one act play about half-Jewish soldiers in the Nazi army in Tod Wehr. It sounds like it is pretty awesome. The interactive part of this program can be dinner before where you share all of things you know about Judaism and the things that you want to be sure to ask.
March 23- Feel Yo'self as part of Sex Week! This is a program about self pleasure and being confident in our sexual health. The interactive part of this program can be a question jar in the bathroom that residents can leave their unanswered questions about sex toys, self pleasure or things related and you can all read them aloud on the way to the event so you can be sure to get them answered at the event!
March 25- The Condom Fashion Show! This event seems to be interactive in itself! Get a team together to craft with provided condoms to make the best art you can to win Condom Royalty. Make sure to take plenty of photos because these would make great facebook gems.
March 29- Public Speaking as a Career Builder. There is a dude that was featured with TED talks that will come in and talk about working together to raise awareness about crime and hate prevention. This has the possibility to give you some great tips for bystander intervention or other language to use when we confront issues in society. The interactive part can be getting your floor together to make some community expectations that they can take to their floors next year to keep a positive community flowing at Ripon.
March 29- Women, Religion and Spirituality panel for Women's History Month. This is a great event to talk about our faith and how that relates to being women in today's society. Any and all genders would benefit from hearing how one group in our society feels about their lives. This is another event where the interactive part can be a floor dinner and walking to the event together.
March 30- Reproductive Rights Struggle. This is another Women's History Month event that everyone should be interested in, especially with the debate over Hobby Lobby and its contraception coverage and a political climate that might change the way family planning is done in our country. The Interactive part can be a google doc where you all get together and share the recent news as it relates to Reproductive Rights-t here are a lot of things out there-and get prepped to ask some great questions.
March 30- Ripon After Dark make your own popcorn event! Tavia has some sweet things to help make your popcorn "pop" with flavor. The interactive part of this can be your very own March Madness of popcorn catching in your mouth! Create a bracket and have your residents battle it out at the event for the 2016 March Popcorn Madness certificate that you make.
April 2-Mock Quinceanera. Have you ever had a sweet sixteen party? Well if you are from a family with Spanish culture connections you probably did not celebrate 16- but 15 (quince-get it?) instead! Learn about the 15 celebration and party like you are 15 all over again. The interactive part can be getting dressed up in our dancing shoes, bow ties, bolo ties, and fancy clothes to celebrate then head over to Great Hall together!
April 8-Rip Olympics! Bringing back a classic! Dean Ogle created this event as one of the Super Six events back when he was the Director of Residence Life. Sign up as a floor to win events that are designed for partners and teams to compete in-winner takes home gold. The Interactive part here can be getting together with coordinated outfits and sweat bands to guarantee your win.
April 14-16-The One Acts! Senior Theatre majors present their senior sems this weekend in these plays. They are shorter and usually so much fun to watch. Your interactive part can be a quick scorecard you put together to vote and pick best actress, director, set design, and other things to award your own One Act Oscars.
April 15- Murder Mystery time! If you are not on the planning committee for this Super Six take some people with you to participate, it is a pretty good time learning all of the things about this 1920s Cruise over New Years Eve. This event is also interactive but you can also get dressed up before you come, you can puffy paint matching clue notebooks, or vote at this event too for your favorite actor/actress.
April 16- RAD presents HOT WING contest ala Buffalo Wild Wings. There are plenty of wings to eat without the hot sauce too-so come and try. The interactive part here can be making your own hot wing eating bibs out of shopping bags-to prevent mess of course!
April 17- The Symphonic Wind Ensemble is playing. It is usually a great show and you can make it interactive by everyone going to the event learning how to whistle a song together. Then you can whistle the song all the way to Rodman.
April 18- A TED Talk about poverty, money and love in the Center for Social Responsibility Lounge. I love TED talks and the interactive part here can be sharing a list of great talks (like Monica Lewinsky's talk about cyber bullying) for everyone to watch. Then create a Google Form for them to rank order them in everyone's favorites. Then you can share that list with David W. Scott in the Center for Social Responsibility so he can know what your floor thinks are great TED talks to consider for the future.
April 19- Pinata Making. For real? You can make a pinata as a floor? That sounds great-then you can fill it with candy, tie it to a tree on campus, ask for a broomstick or baseball bat from somewhere and hit it! Do not forget a blindfold from Mapes so it is fair!
April 27- Ripon Idol brought to you by RAD. Nominate someone from your floor to show off their skills, silly human tricks, juggling skills, etc. Then everyone else should paint tshirts, or their bellies to show their support, a little fan club for your talent star. Lead the way to the event announcing that the soon to be Ripon Idol is on the way, or telling everyone you meet that Ryan Seacrest endorsed your candidate. :)
Tuesday May 3 is the last day of class and the last day to program on campus-so get your proposals in!
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Ideas for March Programming for Women's History Month
Programming Ideas for Women’s History Month
The history of women often gets overshadowed. This month is a great opportunity to focus on the women currently in our lives, and the ones who have come before us. There is a great opportunity to empower women this month by creating the space in your hallway, hall, or area for the celebration of women. Through bulletin boards, flyers, brochures, events, small group discussions, one on one interactions, an entire community can come to understand the contributions of women and the issues women face. Hopefully the women in your community will feel connected to the accomplishments of women in history, confident in the present, and excited about their future. With effective planning of active and passive educating in the halls, you have an incredible opportunity to change the hearts, souls and minds of the men and women you serve. May Women’s History Month be the month where you are able to impact a resident or a peer so that they value and respect women more than they did when they entered your community.
Hopefully the following ideas will get you started in the planning of a dynamic Women’s History Month. These ideas are not all inclusive and all ideas can be adapted to fit your needs.
ICEBREAKERS
The contributions of Women & Making a quick quilt
Code cards so that a woman’s name is on one card and her accomplishment is on another. Put a number on them so that they can find each other. Have participants come together to get to know one another better. Participants will read the contents of a folder with pictures of a woman and her story. They will then draw the woman’s name on a paper with a symbol of her accomplishment. Participants then form a large group and introduce each other to the group. At the same time they introduce the women and post their paper on the wall. All the symbols are placed on the wall in the shape of a quilt to demonstrate the contributions of women. You can talk about the importance of these women and tie it into the symbolism/purpose of the quilt. Kristine Niendorf’s article in the March 1994 edition of the Talking Stick could be a great resource for women’s names and contributions. There are also many web sites, journals, and books, which could assist you in the development of the list of women.
Code cards so that a woman’s name is on one card and her accomplishment is on another. Put a number on them so that they can find each other. Have participants come together to get to know one another better. Participants will read the contents of a folder with pictures of a woman and her story. They will then draw the woman’s name on a paper with a symbol of her accomplishment. Participants then form a large group and introduce each other to the group. At the same time they introduce the women and post their paper on the wall. All the symbols are placed on the wall in the shape of a quilt to demonstrate the contributions of women. You can talk about the importance of these women and tie it into the symbolism/purpose of the quilt. Kristine Niendorf’s article in the March 1994 edition of the Talking Stick could be a great resource for women’s names and contributions. There are also many web sites, journals, and books, which could assist you in the development of the list of women.
Who am I?
Put the names of historical and famous women on participants’ backs. Have them go through and ask yes and no questions to find out who they are. It is helpful if you give participants lots of cues so they remember who the person is. It may be helpful to put photos and information about the person on the paper that is tagged on their back. It may also be helpful for the participants to have a list of names of women and their contributions so that the participants can narrow down who the woman listed on their back is. Through this program participants learn about the contributions of women as they are discovering which one is tagged on their back.
Put the names of historical and famous women on participants’ backs. Have them go through and ask yes and no questions to find out who they are. It is helpful if you give participants lots of cues so they remember who the person is. It may be helpful to put photos and information about the person on the paper that is tagged on their back. It may also be helpful for the participants to have a list of names of women and their contributions so that the participants can narrow down who the woman listed on their back is. Through this program participants learn about the contributions of women as they are discovering which one is tagged on their back.
Momento
Have the participants bring a momento of a woman in their life that has impacted them or helped them to be who they are today. Have people share their momento and tell the story of the woman.
Have the participants bring a momento of a woman in their life that has impacted them or helped them to be who they are today. Have people share their momento and tell the story of the woman.
Historical Impact
Have each person share the story of a famous woman they admire. The woman can be living or dead. If participants are stuck, you may want to have folders of women who have made contributions to different fields available. Give the group 5 minutes to explore resources and have them share the story of their woman.
Have each person share the story of a famous woman they admire. The woman can be living or dead. If participants are stuck, you may want to have folders of women who have made contributions to different fields available. Give the group 5 minutes to explore resources and have them share the story of their woman.
Musical Chairs
Use empowering songs by and for women and have fun! Just in case you haven’t played in a while, set up the chairs back to back or in a circle (be creative and choose any shape!). There should be one less chair than participant. The participants move around the chairs as the music is played and must sit when the music stops. The person with out the chair gets to stop out and a chair is taken out. The people who move out are given a spirit handshake and are welcomed into the cheering squad area. (Be creative and create a space for them so no one really looses). The cheering squad grows as those competing for chairs decreases.
Use empowering songs by and for women and have fun! Just in case you haven’t played in a while, set up the chairs back to back or in a circle (be creative and choose any shape!). There should be one less chair than participant. The participants move around the chairs as the music is played and must sit when the music stops. The person with out the chair gets to stop out and a chair is taken out. The people who move out are given a spirit handshake and are welcomed into the cheering squad area. (Be creative and create a space for them so no one really looses). The cheering squad grows as those competing for chairs decreases.
Winds are Blowing
Each participant is given a picture (out of a magazine) and description of a famous woman. They are to be that person for the duration of the game. The participants read about their famous woman, and then form a large circle. One person starts in the center of the circle and states “I am x (Julia Roberts, Tracy Chapman, Mother Theresa, Princess Di, Fergie, etc.) and winds are blowing for any one who (is famous, has green eyes, can dance well, is royalty, helps the poor, etc. (a single description of their person). Everyone who has similar characteristics or whose woman has those characteristics must move across the room to change chairs. Hopefully, participants learn a little more about women and their contributions while having a fun time.
Each participant is given a picture (out of a magazine) and description of a famous woman. They are to be that person for the duration of the game. The participants read about their famous woman, and then form a large circle. One person starts in the center of the circle and states “I am x (Julia Roberts, Tracy Chapman, Mother Theresa, Princess Di, Fergie, etc.) and winds are blowing for any one who (is famous, has green eyes, can dance well, is royalty, helps the poor, etc. (a single description of their person). Everyone who has similar characteristics or whose woman has those characteristics must move across the room to change chairs. Hopefully, participants learn a little more about women and their contributions while having a fun time.
BULLETIN BOARDS/PASSIVE PROGRAMMING IDEAS
The following list contains ideas for bulletin boards or flyers. Some individuals learn through visual stimuli. Others do not have the time to attend an educational or social event, but they may stop to notice a creative bulletin board, flyer, or brochure. This list is just a start. Feel free to adapt and combine to reach the needs of your population.
Contributions of women who can write
You can use a poem by Maya Angelou or any great women poet for this. Put the poem in the center of the board in large letters and invite the residents to put the names of strong women all around it on the board. Have a pocket with the poem for people to take. There are many empowering poems you could use. Find one that you love and put it up for all to enjoy.
You can use a poem by Maya Angelou or any great women poet for this. Put the poem in the center of the board in large letters and invite the residents to put the names of strong women all around it on the board. Have a pocket with the poem for people to take. There are many empowering poems you could use. Find one that you love and put it up for all to enjoy.
Contributions of women who can sing
Songs, or favorite phrases from songs, which are empowering or representative of the women’s voice or journey, could be placed on bright colored paper. Invite your floor to add the voices of some of their favorite women performers.
Songs, or favorite phrases from songs, which are empowering or representative of the women’s voice or journey, could be placed on bright colored paper. Invite your floor to add the voices of some of their favorite women performers.
Contributions of women in comedy
If you are in need of comedy, women through out time have captured the issues facing women in very clever ways. Use the Internet to explore quotes from Lucille Ball, Rosie O’Donnell, Lily Tomlin, Woopie Goldberg, Joy (from the view), Debra Messing, Cheryl Underwood, Roseanne Barr, Joan Rivers, Erma Bombeck, Phyllis Dyller, etc. (this is not a representative sample, but it is a start!). Capture what they have to say about women, men, work, domestic stuff, sex, friendship, and about life. You could list the different headings and put different quotes under each heading.
If you are in need of comedy, women through out time have captured the issues facing women in very clever ways. Use the Internet to explore quotes from Lucille Ball, Rosie O’Donnell, Lily Tomlin, Woopie Goldberg, Joy (from the view), Debra Messing, Cheryl Underwood, Roseanne Barr, Joan Rivers, Erma Bombeck, Phyllis Dyller, etc. (this is not a representative sample, but it is a start!). Capture what they have to say about women, men, work, domestic stuff, sex, friendship, and about life. You could list the different headings and put different quotes under each heading.
Famous women and their accomplishments-with colorful string
List the names of ten famous women on one side of the board and use colorful string to move from her name to her contribution. If you like straight lines, make it orderly. If you don’t, have your string travel to unique locations on the board to the description.
List the names of ten famous women on one side of the board and use colorful string to move from her name to her contribution. If you like straight lines, make it orderly. If you don’t, have your string travel to unique locations on the board to the description.
Famous women quiz
Another way to raise awareness of the contributions of women is have many doors on a bulletin board that have questions on them. They would ask questions like “Did you know who (list their contribution)?” The door would open up to the name of the person and a picture of her. That way it could be interactive. The entire board could be called “How much do you know about women?
Another way to raise awareness of the contributions of women is have many doors on a bulletin board that have questions on them. They would ask questions like “Did you know who (list their contribution)?” The door would open up to the name of the person and a picture of her. That way it could be interactive. The entire board could be called “How much do you know about women?
Women collage
Cover a bulletin board in your favorite color. Invite your floor to join you in making a collage celebrating women. You may want to give them themes to focus on if they need boundaries or ideas. For example, we are coming together to build a collage that represents the women who have made a difference in your lives. Bring something that reminds you of that person and add it to the board. Everyone would share as they added their item to the board. You could suggest that everyone cut pictures that celebrate and empower women from their favorite magazine or ones you provide. (Talk to your Hall Director, Director of Res. Life, Dean, VP, and ask them to bring you magazines). Make sure you have magazines that represent diversity. Have the people bring their pictures at a set time and allow everyone to glue away. Photos, drawings, and words can be used too.
Cover a bulletin board in your favorite color. Invite your floor to join you in making a collage celebrating women. You may want to give them themes to focus on if they need boundaries or ideas. For example, we are coming together to build a collage that represents the women who have made a difference in your lives. Bring something that reminds you of that person and add it to the board. Everyone would share as they added their item to the board. You could suggest that everyone cut pictures that celebrate and empower women from their favorite magazine or ones you provide. (Talk to your Hall Director, Director of Res. Life, Dean, VP, and ask them to bring you magazines). Make sure you have magazines that represent diversity. Have the people bring their pictures at a set time and allow everyone to glue away. Photos, drawings, and words can be used too.
PROGRAMMING/EVENT IDEAS
Ceremony of Thanks
Invite participants to share their favorite card, letter, photo, e-mail, poem from a friend, lover, mother, sister, teacher, etc. Come together and celebrate the women in their lives. Share a warm nurturing beverage and food afterward.
Invite participants to share their favorite card, letter, photo, e-mail, poem from a friend, lover, mother, sister, teacher, etc. Come together and celebrate the women in their lives. Share a warm nurturing beverage and food afterward.
Coffee House celebrating artistic women
Cover tables with paper and set out markers. On each you can write a powerful quote by or about women and allow people to respond. Have female poets, singers, and comedians, share their talents through out the evening. In between have the music of empowering women playing in the background. Around the room have women artists show case their work (i.e. photographers, graphic artists, video artist, painters, etc.)
Cover tables with paper and set out markers. On each you can write a powerful quote by or about women and allow people to respond. Have female poets, singers, and comedians, share their talents through out the evening. In between have the music of empowering women playing in the background. Around the room have women artists show case their work (i.e. photographers, graphic artists, video artist, painters, etc.)
Mid-afternoon Tea
It sounds a little funny, but it could be great for the soul. Get together and share tea. Have all different kinds. Facilitate relaxed discussions. You could have a question of the day like “how have women impacted you?” “What do you do to take care of you?” “How can women have it all, or can they?” “Making it as a women in the new century-how to be financially savvy”. These could be great ones to bring visible faculty and staff to attend.
It sounds a little funny, but it could be great for the soul. Get together and share tea. Have all different kinds. Facilitate relaxed discussions. You could have a question of the day like “how have women impacted you?” “What do you do to take care of you?” “How can women have it all, or can they?” “Making it as a women in the new century-how to be financially savvy”. These could be great ones to bring visible faculty and staff to attend.
Airbands
Lip-sync the music of women.
Lip-sync the music of women.
Loving Right – on healthy relationships
Bring in counseling center professionals to co-present so you can enjoy it too.
Bring in counseling center professionals to co-present so you can enjoy it too.
Sex and sexual health
In the boundaries of your particular campus, have your health center and counseling center join you for a fun interactive presentation. Slide in facts you want them to know and visual aids with questions they want to know. On some campuses, if you get all the women together alone, explaining breast examination techniques, the gynecological exam, healthy sexual intimacy, and other health issues helps to decrease the ignorance and fear so women are more confident with their own bodies and with taking care of them.
In the boundaries of your particular campus, have your health center and counseling center join you for a fun interactive presentation. Slide in facts you want them to know and visual aids with questions they want to know. On some campuses, if you get all the women together alone, explaining breast examination techniques, the gynecological exam, healthy sexual intimacy, and other health issues helps to decrease the ignorance and fear so women are more confident with their own bodies and with taking care of them.
The fishbowl
The fishbowl exercise is another one that students find engaging. The facilitator has all the students write down questions that they have always wanted to ask. You can gear it to whatever theme you desire. For sex/gender awareness, students can put down questions they have always wanted to know about the opposite gender. The facilitator can split them into the two groups with one group in a circle and the other group in a circle around them. The first group discusses the question with the other group observing and then they switch.
The fishbowl exercise is another one that students find engaging. The facilitator has all the students write down questions that they have always wanted to ask. You can gear it to whatever theme you desire. For sex/gender awareness, students can put down questions they have always wanted to know about the opposite gender. The facilitator can split them into the two groups with one group in a circle and the other group in a circle around them. The first group discusses the question with the other group observing and then they switch.
Acquaintance Rape
Bring in an outside speaker to talk about how to help a friend if they come to you as a victim of acquaintance rape.
Bring in an outside speaker to talk about how to help a friend if they come to you as a victim of acquaintance rape.
Body Image-how to love your body now
Have everyone draw his or her body on a large role of paper. Have everyone decorate it with symbols of love, peace, balance, etc. Once everyone decorates their body with positive loving symbols, have them discuss how they feel about their body, what contributed to them loving/not loving their body, and what could they do to love themselves and their body more? What could they do to be more supportive of one another and each other’s bodies? It will be helpful to have a counselor present. If a counselor is not present, provide participants with contact information for your campus counseling center and/or health services, so participants can pursue follow-up after the program if it is needed. The images can be pasted up in the hall or lounge if people are interested.
Have everyone draw his or her body on a large role of paper. Have everyone decorate it with symbols of love, peace, balance, etc. Once everyone decorates their body with positive loving symbols, have them discuss how they feel about their body, what contributed to them loving/not loving their body, and what could they do to love themselves and their body more? What could they do to be more supportive of one another and each other’s bodies? It will be helpful to have a counselor present. If a counselor is not present, provide participants with contact information for your campus counseling center and/or health services, so participants can pursue follow-up after the program if it is needed. The images can be pasted up in the hall or lounge if people are interested.
Pre-break exercise, stress management healthy eating dialogues
Have coffee chats and talk about people’s plans for the breaks. Present five minutes worth of how to loose weight or monitor stress through healthy diet and exercise. Share a list of resources or favorite walking paths in the area. Then have each person fill out a personal goal sheet. Allow people to share if they are so inclined. You could invite people to walk with you at certain times. A bulletin board could tie it all together with everyone putting their spring break healthy lifestyle change goals on the board.
Have coffee chats and talk about people’s plans for the breaks. Present five minutes worth of how to loose weight or monitor stress through healthy diet and exercise. Share a list of resources or favorite walking paths in the area. Then have each person fill out a personal goal sheet. Allow people to share if they are so inclined. You could invite people to walk with you at certain times. A bulletin board could tie it all together with everyone putting their spring break healthy lifestyle change goals on the board.
Other ideas. Get faculty and staff to help with these
- Women in politics, government, voting, etc.
- Women in media, entertainment, etc.
- Women in sports
- Women in science
- Women Leaders in business, higher education, education, etc.
- Developmental Theory of Women
- The F-word…Reclaiming Feminism
- Have a book club
- Auto mechanics
- Domestic Gods and Goddesses 101
- Visit “The Vagina Monologues” or other provocative theater about gender issues, or women’s journeys, and have follow up dinner and discussion
- Understanding women – Have a panel of all sorts of women students who share their journey, adapt it to a panel of women staff and faculty who share their journey
- Women’s Leadership Conference
- Women’s Dinner of Achievement – Celebrate the achievements of women in your community
Wow! What a start. Hopefully it will motivate you to create an eye-catching bulletin board and an entertaining program. Spread the message that WOMEN are PHENOMENAL. Their contributions should be celebrated this month, and every month. Enjoy.
Submitted by Cathy Raynis, formerly Director of Residential Life at Iona College
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