University of Wisconsin- River Falls Program of the Year GLACURH Regional Leadership Conference 2017 University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Table of Contents: 1 Table of Contents 1 Overview 2 Planning/Organization 3 Schedule of Events 4 Goals 5 Positive Impact 6 Straight from the Rink 7 Funding/Budget 8 Adaptability 9 Evaluation of the Program 10 Evolution of the Program 11 Goals for the Future 12 Letter of Support 13
Overview: 2 Falcon s on Ice 2017 was a collaborative effort between the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) in partnership with our Campus Recreation. This event generally takes place a week before finals, just to give students a way to relax. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) RHA facilitated the planning of the program, along with the communication and funding of this program. Overall, the program was received really well by the campus with about 225 UWRF Students in attendance. Many students were excited for the free skate rental that was provided, as well as the Winter fixings of Hot Chocolate and cookies. The event also came after a Women s Hockey Game and also offered a dodgeball tournament to go along with the event This last year s program was a unique opportunity because it allowed Campus Recreation to showcase the newly remodeled W. H. Hunt Arena. With the newly remodeled Ice Rink it allowed students to have a fun, safe, enjoyable experience. The unique collaboration between NRHH/RHA with our Campus Recreation, allows NRHH/RHA to put on a fun and unique event that allowed students to try something out that they may have never tried out before without having to spend any money to try the new event.
Planning/Organization: 3 Starting in the beginning of November, when the RHA Advisor and Programming Coordinator for RHA met to get the basics of the event set into stone. Once they had the basics all set in stone the RHA Advisor gave free reign to the Programming Coordinator and her Committee to get the details all hammered out. Within the First week of getting the date all set the Programming Coordinator really took charge of the rest of the planning. She had taken on this program and planning with a committee, she really strived and showed her true leadership qualities within this role. By Mid-November, the Programming Coordinator had nailed out the details of the poster design by working with our institution s Graphic Design Department. The posters were done and put up within the Residence Halls by mid-november and advertising had began through the posters as well as campus television. The Programming Coordinator had also gotten in contact with Campus Recreation to reserve W. H. Hunt Arena so that RHA could put this event on. With the confirmation of Hunt Arena being reserved, the program was set to be put on. Prior to the event starting the RHA Executive Board, went shopping for cookies from Best Maid Cookies and Hot Chocolate mix. Once they had that the program was all set and ready to go to set up and open the program up to the public.
Schedule of Events: 4 Prior to the event there was a UWRF Women s Hockey game. After the Hockey game had finished there was a brief moment to clean post game, but then it was right back to the event to allow students the most ice time that they could get. 8:00 PM-9:00 PM: Set-up 9:00 PM-9:30 PM: Final Checks and Walk-Throughs 9:30 PM-10:30 PM: Dodgeball Tournament 9:30 PM-10:30 PM: Hot Cocoa and Cookies 10:30 PM: Ice Rink Cleaned/Resurfaced 9:30 PM-11:30 PM: Falcons on Ice Event 11:30 PM-12:00 AM: Clean-up
Goals: 5 To provide a fun and safe night for students to try out a new activity for no cost to them To offer alternative late-night, substance free events for students to experience Strengthen partnerships between RHA and NRHH, as well as create a partnership with Campus Recreation. Allow UWRF students a new and innovative way to try new interests in Campus Recreation.
Positive Impact: 6 One positive effect of Falcon s on Ice had is it allowed students to have a fun and exciting evening to destress before finals. Falcons on Ice also allowed students to try something new and without any personal cost to them besides anywhere from one to two hours of their night. Those students in attendance of the event were given a unique opportunity for growth and a chance to explore an option for personal health, all while having fun. Another positive effect that Falcon s on Ice had on campus was it allowed Campus Recreation to showcase their newly remodeled W. H. Hunt Arena. With UWRF Campus Recreation undergoing a 48 million dollar building, Falcon s on Ice got to showcase the first phase of the remodel.
Straight from the Rink: 7 Falcons on Ice was such a fun and unique program put on by NRHH/RHA! My friends and I were able to bond even more because of this event! ~Ashley Bredeson, Resident Falcon s on Ice allowed me as a resident to bond even more with my floormates as well as my RA. We got to try something new without the financial aspect of a new activity! ~Carly Willette, Being a Resident Assistant, Falcon s on Ice allowed me to introduce my new residents to the rest of the floor as well as allow first-year students to explore a new area on campus. ~Nate Day, Resident Assistant
Funding Sources: 8 All funding came from the RHA Programming Fund for the year. Cookies were offered by Best Maid Cookies. RHA also got a discounted rate (50% off) from Campus Recreation for rental of W. H. Hunt Arena. Budget: W. H. Hunt Arena Rental $180.00/2 hours Ice Skate Rental $250.00 Best Maid Cookies (15 bags) $50.00 Hot Chocolate $50.00 Total Expenses $530.00
Adaptability: 9 Falcon s on Ice can easily be incorporated on just about any campus that has an Ice Rink. Besides the space required, it is suggested that there are no outside fees for students to pay to encourage their attendance. Specifically, for Falcon s on Ice, students were able to use ice skates and indulge in some treats all for free. This can be easily adapted for other programs because they can provide refreshments and supplies without a charge. This event also demonstrates the importance of partnering and co-hosting an event with other departments or offices across campus. This creates ties between departments and creates a campus-wide bond. Since this program is easily adaptable, all universities can add their own twists to the program to make them more creative and inclusive for members of said universities.
Evaluation of the Program: 10 Overall the program was ran very well. The RHA Advisor met with Campus Recreation post program and Campus Recreation said that the event went very well and that post program clean up was quick and easy and was cleaned accordingly. The RHA Executive Board hosted a debriefing session and gathered feedback from the Hall Councils and other groups that were involved as well as the students that attended the event. One set-back that student had mentioned was having to wait for ice skates at times. The RHA Executive Board didn t see that much of a set-back, but rather a good problem because of the massive success of the event.
Evolution of the Program: 11 Falcon s on Ice has been going on since 2012 where it started as a way to try something new. It has since evolved to being an event that offers free skate rental and snacks for students and is also a way for students to de-stress before Finals Week comes up in the following week or two.
Goals for the Future: 12 With Falcon s on Ice having started in 2012, the goal is to keep this program alive and well. This event was designed so that Resident Assistants can bring their residents and have a fun easy program to help alleviate stress of preparing for finals as well as closing week. A future goal of Falcon s on Ice is to incorporate new activities into the program and continue to foster the healthy relationship that NRHH/RHA has with Campus Recreation. With the newly renovated Falcon Center, there are numerous amounts of new activities that can be incorporated like an updated Rock Wall, Basketball, Track, Exercise Classrooms and so many more options, that RHA/NRHH would like to try and incorporate into this program.
Letter of Support 13
Works Cited: 14 Ice background #2585. Powerpointhintergrund.com, 18 Feb. 2017, www.powerpointhintergrund.com/ppt-image/ice-background- 2585.html. Parent, Hudson Valley. Winter Fun. Pinterest, 16 Feb. 2015, www.pinterest.com/pin/156781630754429559/?lp=true.