Date Nights: Dating is NOT Dead
By Lily Ghiz
In 2015, a dozen couples were dying Easter eggs in the Von Canon library for date night. Almost three years later, over 150 couples were decorating gingerbread houses and riding in horse-drawn carriages as school sponsored Date Nights have taken off, particularly within the last year.
Originally, Date Nights were sponsored by the Von Canon library. They were taken over by Student Activities last year, led by April Harris, director of Student Activities, and her assistant Emily Winslow.
Instead of doing several small events, Harris and Winslow decided to put their resources into fewer, larger events. The first Date Night was last September. Harris and Winslow hoped 50 couples would attend the art-centered night. In total, 47 couples signed up, and since then each Date Night has continued to draw in larger crowds.
Harris explained her reasons for taking over Date Nights, saying, “There were a lot of ways we wanted to change campus culture, and dating was one of those in particular. I took that as my mandate to help students have a healthy dating environment.”
The core components of Date Nights are: 1. They must be free for students, 2. They are located on campus, and 3. They must consist of different or unique activities that students aren’t easily able to do in the area.
These requirements have required creativity, and Harris and Winslow have risen to the challenge. Last year they transformed the Arena into a laser tag course, turned Chandler Field into a carnival and created a Winter Wonderland on campus complete with horse-drawn carriage rides. Other activities have included watching a scary movie in a pumpkin patch, participating in a magician/hypnotist/comedian show and roller skating in the Stoddard Center.
Many students have reported that Date Nights have been a positive addition to campus life. Amanda Fly, ’18, who graduated in May said that she was grateful for more activities for couples on campus, because “it feels like once you get married you are socially isolated.” Lauren Gowdy, a career coach for Southern Virginia said, “My husband and I love going to the date nights…I tell people that it’ll be one of my favorite memories of our time here in Buena Vista when we’re gone.”
However, some students feel like Date Nights are better suited for well established and/or married couples. “I feel like [Date Nights] increased student involvement but it hasn’t increased dating among single students,” said Bradleigh Herwig, ’20.
Even so, Harris pointed out that they are more than dates for couples. They are also activities that give students an opportunity to connect and get to know each other. “It does not have to be romantic…just get to know somebody and ask them,” she said.
This Friday, Student Activities is hosting its first Date Night of the school year: Artpalooza. Couples will circulate through different stations and complete fun art projects that they’ll get to take home with them. Artpalooza will take place in the Stoddard Center at 7 pm.
The rest of the Date Nights this semester will resemble previous activities, but with new twists. Keep your eye out for the return of the magician/hypnotist/comedian and for this year’s Winter Wonderland to include a lot more lights.
Additionally, Student Activities will host socials each month, such as the Welcome Back Concert, to provide an environment where students can gather and get to know each other. “And hopefully someone will catch your eye and you can ask them to Date Night,” said Harris.
