SPC is Back in Full Force
The Student Programming Center (SPC) Board.
Photo creds:Anna Kallajian '23
After two years of COVID-19 limiting their ability to conduct full-scale in-person events, Marist College’s Student Programming Council (SPC) is back in full force this fall. The club has seen a large turnout to events, from Welcome Week activities to Broadway sales, reinforcing their importance in the Marist community.
“The turnout has been great so far, not just among freshmen, but among the whole Marist community,” said SPC President Anna Kallajian ‘23. "It has been nice to see students return to normal college life after all the time they lost in the pandemic.”
SPC is known campus-wide for providing fun activities and entertainment for students. The club organizes events such as stuff-a-plush, painting and trivia nights, stand-up comedians, coffee houses and the highly sought-after $25 Broadway tickets.
“Going to a small school, you run the risk of not having enough things to do," said Lauren Lagasse ‘25. “But, SPC creates an environment that lets students have the opportunity to meet others and have fun. The events feel more natural and connected to the community because it is made for students, by students.”
This year the SPC board has tried to implement more team and bonding-based events. Their team trivia nights and “speed-friending” have been effective ways of getting students to meet each other, especially the freshman.
“It is a great way for those who have not yet met people to meet others and is helpful when making friends as a freshman,” said SPC Vice President Kaitlyn Dugan ‘25.
The SPC board saw their event planning and efforts brought to life, watching the freshmen participate in Welcome Week events. The board arrived on campus a week early to organize three to four events per day in which freshmen could participate to meet one another and get comfortable on campus.
“During the first two weeks of school, watching our events bring the freshmen together and knowing we did that made the work we put in worth it,” said SPC Webmaster Heidi Saleh ‘24. Within the past year, SPC has implemented new tactics, such as a recommendation box outside their office to hear student voices and plan activities they want.
“All of our events come from recommendations and feedback from the students, we are always listening to what the students want,” said SPC Secretary Grace Kirk ‘24.
SPC's dedication to serving students goes above and beyond. The members frequently reevaluate and reinvent activities to reflect what students are interested in. However, as full-time students, the club is limited in how many events it can have.
“It is hard because we dream so big, but we are just students, so sometimes we do not have enough energy or time to bring all those ideas to life,” said Kallajian.
However, the outcome is worth it.
“Watching the hard work we have put in and days we have spent together planning events and seeing people enjoy it is so pleasing. I love being able to watch students enjoy themselves,” said SPC Marketing Chair Julianna Manrique ‘25.
Currently, the club is trying to introduce trivia night, an event they hope will continue the legacy of giving back to students.
"We are hoping to start a new tradition with trivia night and give students something they can look back on, similar to how alumni remember our Broadway tickets or bingo nights,” said Dugan.
In the coming months, SPC has a list of events planned, including ticket sales to “Six Flags Fright Night” and “Radio City Christmas Spectacular,” an open mic night, annual holiday bingo and much more.