Cornell University is expanding late-night social programming through Big Red Nights, an initiative aimed at giving students more opportunities to connect between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The effort includes a students-only DJ competition Friday, Nov. 13, followed by a Ty Dolla $ign concert Saturday, Nov. 14, at Barton Hall. Six student DJs will each perform a 25-minute set in the All Hands On Deck Boiler Room competition, with the winner earning the opening slot for the rapper, according to a Nov. 12 Cornell Chronicle report by Holly Hartigan.
Campus Activities organized the two-night event with the Slope Day Programming Board, Cornell Interfraternity Council, Cornell Concert Commission and Multicultural Community Fueled Activity Board.
Filling gaps in the social calendar
Big Red Nights brings together staff across Cornell’s Student and Campus Life division to identify gaps in the campus social calendar, develop additional activities and make existing events easier for students to find. Teams are also evaluating opportunities for new social spaces.
Kyle Ziarko, associate director of Campus Activities, co-chairs the working group with Alyssa Talvi, associate director of the Tatkon Center for New Students. Ziarko told the Chronicle that Cornell already offers substantial programming, but has lacked a coordinated late-night calendar students can turn to when looking for something to do.
Halloween weekend activities drew hundreds of students to events including parties at Willard Straight Hall and a Halloween Chimes concert. A shuttle transported 1,300 riders to and from campus. Subsequent programming has included late-night sessions at the Lindseth Climbing Center and an open skate at Lynah Rink that reached its 200-skater capacity.
Student programming boards have taken on events beyond their usual schedules, Ziarko said, while staff members are working to share the responsibility.
“But we know that the burden to fill every pocket of programming can’t fall exclusively on our students,” he told the Chronicle.
Riya Patil, a member of Cornell’s Class of 2028 and vice president of finance for the Student Programming Council, said staff partnerships help student organizers offer a broader range of activities while managing their other commitments.
“As student programmers, we can only do so much while balancing classes and other extracurriculars,” Patil told the Chronicle. “Having this extra support and programming helps us reach our goal of keeping Cornell feeling close.”
Student feedback will shape future events
Student and Campus Life has distributed a survey asking students what experiences they would like to see. Student programming groups will continue to help shape the initiative, Ziarko said.
The working group plans to explore collaborations with the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art and Cornell Botanic Gardens. Talvi said the initiative offers a way to connect activities across Cornell’s decentralized campus.
Karli Buday, director of Campus Activities, also anticipates possible partnerships in downtown Ithaca and the surrounding community, recognizing that students want opportunities to spend time off campus.
Buday told the Chronicle that helping students build connections with one another and the campus community supports their ability to learn, grow and succeed.
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