2008 Woodie Awards
Weekend offers students chance to show college life to friends, family
By Kacie Peterson
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: Focus
The events were previously separate until about four years ago when they decided to combine the two.
She said Village Days formed at about the same time the fusion of the events took place, and then broke off from the older Heritage Festival program.
So residents know when it will occur, the street festival for Slippery Rock is strategically planned for the third weekend in September every year.
Sadler said she believes it's important for Family and Friends Weekend to happen every year.
"It's important we ask parents to come back," Sadler said.
She said that at this point, students have been away at school for three weeks and have established a comfort level so that they can now introduce their families to new friends, new hangouts and activities.
Behind the scenes, a lot of planning and preparation takes place and involves a lot of volunteers from both the Slippery Rock community and campus faculty.
"Typically, very shortly after the program is over, we assess what worked and what didn't," Sadler said. "And we (also) include parent feedback."
Last January, a committee of 12 to 15 members from SRU met to discuss the different programs and new ideas for this year's event.
For the first time, the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Department was involved in the planning process.
The SRVFD is celebrating its 100th anniversary and will have a parade downtown Saturday beginning at 6:30 p.m., with fireworks scheduled for 8 p.m.
All staff members for the weekend are volunteers from SRU, Village Days and Heritage Festival families.
Sadler said that having volunteers from these organizations means getting help with funding.
Family and Friends Weekend planners have no budget, but are supported through co-sponsors on campus and through the generosity of other departments, Sadler said.
The university, on the other hand, supports Village Days and Heritage Festival.
"We help with a lot of facility requests," Sadler said. "If they need us for tables and chairs, we help them that way."
It seems this is a weekend tradition that will continue for a long time.
"It's an annual tradition that's important for both families and students," Sadler said.
She said Village Days formed at about the same time the fusion of the events took place, and then broke off from the older Heritage Festival program.
So residents know when it will occur, the street festival for Slippery Rock is strategically planned for the third weekend in September every year.
Sadler said she believes it's important for Family and Friends Weekend to happen every year.
"It's important we ask parents to come back," Sadler said.
She said that at this point, students have been away at school for three weeks and have established a comfort level so that they can now introduce their families to new friends, new hangouts and activities.
Behind the scenes, a lot of planning and preparation takes place and involves a lot of volunteers from both the Slippery Rock community and campus faculty.
"Typically, very shortly after the program is over, we assess what worked and what didn't," Sadler said. "And we (also) include parent feedback."
Last January, a committee of 12 to 15 members from SRU met to discuss the different programs and new ideas for this year's event.
For the first time, the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Department was involved in the planning process.
The SRVFD is celebrating its 100th anniversary and will have a parade downtown Saturday beginning at 6:30 p.m., with fireworks scheduled for 8 p.m.
All staff members for the weekend are volunteers from SRU, Village Days and Heritage Festival families.
Sadler said that having volunteers from these organizations means getting help with funding.
Family and Friends Weekend planners have no budget, but are supported through co-sponsors on campus and through the generosity of other departments, Sadler said.
The university, on the other hand, supports Village Days and Heritage Festival.
"We help with a lot of facility requests," Sadler said. "If they need us for tables and chairs, we help them that way."
It seems this is a weekend tradition that will continue for a long time.
"It's an annual tradition that's important for both families and students," Sadler said.
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