November 2006

Campus Events Professional - November 2006 - Full Issue PDF
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Off with His Head! Keys to Attracting Attention to Library Orientation
Ask an incoming first-year student what he or she will discover in the library, and you will likely hear descriptions of rows of dusty, seldom-touched books and of bun-wearing librarians vigorously enforcing policies on silence. At Massachusetts-based Williams College, however, first-year students who complete the orientation are treated to an exploration of library resources punctuated by a mystery to solve that sheds light on an interesting piece of college history. This innovative approach to new-student orientation could easily be transferred to other campuses and to other contexts.

The Unbroken Chain: Organizing a Library Move
By Nancy Higgins, Webster University
The life of the event planner is fraught with challenges, none more inspiring than notice of an event with little lead time to plan. Such was the case in late April 2003 at the closing ceremony of Webster University’s comprehensive campaign.

Challenges and Best Practices in University Fundraising: New Study Highlights Key Findings
Fundraising is becoming a priority of increasing importance for higher education. With governmental support for state universities decreasing and pressure to maintain affordable tuition increasing, donations have become an essential budget-balancing tool for most institutions. However, it can be confusing for university development officers to determine how their own practices measure up against their peers nationwide.

Editor’s Letter
In your role as an event planner, one of your most difficult tasks is thinking of unique concepts for events and then finding ways to execute them. You have to strike a careful balance between repeating ideas that have been previously successful on your campus and trying new ideas that could grab your attendees’ attention while meeting a particular need.

Strictly Ballroom: A Checklist for Planning Your Ballroom Dance Event
Ballroom dance is ideal for accommodating a wide range of guests. It draws on music from many eras, making it easy to tailor your dance to your alumni population or event guest list. However, planning a dance that is enjoyable for the dance crowd while being welcoming to all takes attention to detail. Here are a few items you may want to place on your preparation checklist.

What Went Wrong? The Uninvited Guest
By David Treber, Frostburg State University
In the middle of basketball camp registration, with the school year still more than a month away, a student shows up, belongings in hand, ready to move into a residence hall room. What do you do?