The Late Night committee has decided to continue support for Moonlight Madness, the Student Affairs Late Night programming initiative, which sponsors alcohol-free events on and off campus.
“Our goal is to have at least one event every weekend next year except for vacation and finals week,” said Connie Boehm, director of Student Wellness.
According to a Moonlight Madness press release, more than 15,000 students have attended the 22 events sponsored from September to March. The events have taken place at various locations including the Ohio Union, Larkins Hall, the Wexner Center and Summit United Methodist Church.
“We feel very happy with the success of the late night initiative this year,” Boehm said.
According to Andrea Dowhower, assistant director of Student Affairs Assessment, 65.4 percent of the respondents said they were “very satisfied” with the event they attended, and 64.8 percent said they were “very likely” to attend future Late Night events.
The mission of the program is to provide vibrant and fun late night programs that create a sense of campus community for a diverse group of students. These activities are meant to provide students with programming experience, leadership development and social interactions.
“This was an initiative to provide events for students on and off campus,” said Philip Suchma, graduate associate of Late Night Programs. “(We) try to put together a late-night event to curb students from the bar scene.”
Campus departments and student organizations collaborating to hold an event are eligible to apply for funding. Programs that may receive funding include social, educational and recreational activities that would take place on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night that will continue until at least 1 a.m. The maximum amount each event can receive is $7,500. However, exceptions to this amount of funding are possible.
“A committee of various representatives from organizations around campus review the applications,” Suchma said. “The committee determines if many students would be interested in the event and if the event fits into the program.” Grant applications for autumn quarter events are due May 4 by 5 p.m. to qualify for the first review. They are available at OSU’s Student Health Center.
Six different events have been funded in the month of April, and a Late Night Spring Barbecue will be held tomorrow from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the University Lutheran Chapel, 45 E. 13th Ave.
