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CAB director focuses on campus fun

With the growing number of students living on campus, Campus Activities Board is working to increase student involvement and school spirit.USF’s enrollment ranks among the top universities in the state. But Patrick Dean, executive director for CAB, said USF’s reputation of being a commuter campus hurts its student life.”Our problem is we have the budget of a large university to provide activities for students,” Dean said. “However, our commuter status compares with the smaller universities in the state.”Dean said finding the balance is where CAB comes into play. USF doesn’t have an entire city devoted to its campus and students like some universities. Therefore, USF has a harder time getting students involved, Dean said.Former FSU student Richard Arriaga said Florida State has something going on all the time for students.”Some days I would walk out of my dorm and there would be a celebration of something going on,” Arriaga said. “You can at least have something going on three days a week. The amount of things going on at FSU is phenomenal.”

USF student body president Mike Griffin said he wants to focus on a few large events rather than many smaller activities. With a budget of $200,000 allocated by Student Government, CAB plans events for the student body.

It is important to provide things for students that are free, Dean said

“Watch movies, meet stars, have fun,” he said. “That is the theme of USF Campus Activities Board’s mission every year.” During Week of Welcome last week, CAB held four events for incoming students to introduce them to USF campus life.

Along with student groups’ showcases and a psychic show, CAB kicked off its Movies On the Lawn series and held its annual Club USF, a dance party.

“These events are designed to break the ice for students,” Dean said. “Plus, everything we do almost always has a theme. This year’s Club USF was a beach theme.”

CAB also wants students to get involved with USF football. This year’s first home game will start with a tailgate party at Raymond James Stadium.

Also in the fall, CAB plans to host Patio Tuesdays, where a band will play in the patio outside the Phyllis P. Marshall Center and students can be entertained as they walk to and from classes.

Contact Will Albritton
at oraclewill@yahoo.com