Club focus: Q&A with the president of the Student Events Board at Saint Rose

The Student Events Board (SEB) provides innovative, social programming for the entire Saint Rose campus community. It is composed of various committees to assure students can benefit from numerous events and activities. SEB was recently awarded the 2020 Programming Organization of the Year by the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA).  With a drive to increase student involvement and offer creative and fresh events, it should come as no surprise that SEB was previously the recipient of the 2019 Boyd Jones National Organization of the Year as well as the 2018 Northeast Regional Organization of the Year.

SEB’s ability to connect with first-year students has been remarkable in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, where program guidelines have been adjusted to fit health and safety measures. Throughout this past year, they have consistently created a safe space for students to interact and have a good time. If you stop by their office in the Events and Athletic Center, you will see the warm and friendly environment SEB fosters for students on campus. We recently caught up with Jordan Veihdeffer ’21, president of the club, to see what else is in store for the future of SEB.

Q&A with SEB President Jordan Veihdeffer’21:

What is SEB? 

We are one of the largest clubs on campus, showcasing over 30 events a year, even this year, despite COVID-19. We are a student-led organization that is made up of five committees — novelties, entertainment, trips, semi-formal, and senior events — that plan events that are open to all students in the Saint Rose community. Students can join one of these committees and plan events they would like to see on campus.

How did it feel for SEB to receive the 2020 Programming Organization of the Year award?

It was truly an honor to receive the 2020 Programming Organization of the Year, a national award. We have worked with the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities (APCA) for years, having previously won regional awards in the fall of 2018 followed by a national award in the spring of 2019. Being able to win this award, during such unprecedented times, acknowledges all of the hard work that this student-led organization has done, as well as, highlights some of the great things we offer the Saint Rose community.

How has SEB managed to increase first-year student involvement by 350%?

Throughout the years, there has been a decrease in student involvement nationwide. Within the last year or so, we have seen a huge increase in first-year students getting involved. SEB has made this club an open space and has made sure that students, especially first years, have a place to get involved. Expanding to virtual options and becoming more involved with our social media platforms has allowed us to reach students that were remote and unaware of who we were. This brought out a larger population of first-year students looking for ways to get that first-year experience.

What upcoming events does SEB  have planned for this semester?

SEB just finished up our Week of Wellness, which took place March 1 – March 5 and focused on mental health. We also plan on hosting a few more virtual entertainers, trivia nights, student showcases, events for seniors, and much more! Make sure to stay up-to-date by following our Instagram (@stroseseb) and our Facebook page (@CSRSEB)!

What are some challenges SEB has faced in creating programs and activities for students through the pandemic?

Some challenges that SEB faced this academic year were creating virtual events that encompassed our mission and highlighted the specific chair positions. We had to think of new and safe ways to bring entertainment to the community. At this point in the year, the SEB Eboard has excelled and exceeded all expectations of creativity and adaptability as we have created numerous virtual events that the students enjoyed. Despite this success, we have faced challenges in getting students involved virtually. It is hard to get students to tune in, however, we have seen some new virtual faces over the course of the semester.

What is one thing SEB hopes to accomplish this upcoming semester?

Throughout this semester, SEB hopes to see more virtual involvement from our students and the Saint Rose community. We have seen some new faces throughout the semester, however, we would love for that population to continue to increase. We hope to continue to be an open, inclusive, and safe club on campus.

How has SEB worked on making virtual events interactive and engaging with the current situation?

In creating virtual events, SEB keeps in mind the challenges that the campus is facing and aims to provide stress-free activities after a day full of online meetings. Creating safe and interactive events that help bring students together, whether virtually or in-person, during these times is what is most important to us.

How can students join SEB this semester?

All students are more than welcome to join. We hold virtual meetings every Thursday at 5:15 p.m. via Zoom. If they are unavailable during this meeting time, they can shoot us an email at seb@strose.edu, and we can get them involved.

Why should students join SEB?

SEB is where students come and voice their ideas for events they would like to see. Everyone is welcome to join us. Our goal is to bring aspects of what the students desire to the events we plan. It is a great way for students to get creative and involved in one of the largest clubs our campus offers.