Campus events are vital when it comes to fostering community among students, but despite their importance, attendance at these activities at Drew appears to be on the decline. One driving factor behind this change could be the repetitive aspect of activities, along with other issues such as poor timing and the lack of awareness about these events.
What are other schools doing that Drew is not? Transfer student Desiree Chapman (’25) said, “At my previous institution, Rutgers, all important activities were scheduled during times when classes were not in session.”
This minimizes the risk of students being unable to attend activities directly related to their major or simply for an enjoyable release from schoolwork.
“One time I had to miss the little pony therapy session that the school provided because I had classes at that time. I heard they were very sweet from one of my friends who could make it, and they had little shoes,” said Peyton Goings (‘26). This is why moving the events to times when classes are not in session would be better for everyone.
Drew University’s primary source of event information is The Path. However, The Path remains largely unknown to the students. Even for those aware of the website, it seems that individuals find the layout confusing, according to Danielle Knesl (‘26).
The only other way to receive a consistent stream of information about activities in a timely fashion is through posters, word of mouth and by taking the initiative to follow and keep up to date with club Instagram pages.
Some students think that location changes could help attendance. “I wish that we had more events in open areas and lounge events so everyone can pass by and see that there is an activity going on,” said Peninah Kamau (‘27).
Drew University’s activities are not meeting all the needs of current students. Rachel Sirica (‘24) claimed it would benefit the greater student body if clubs make an effort to “switch up the activity times.” By doing so, clubs would increase the likelihood that every individual will be able to attend at least one activity that piques their interest.
It would also be better for the student population if Drew designated one day during the school week to be cleared of any evening classes. With this empty time slot, clubs would be able to plan their activities without conflicting with personal schedules.
Laura Nurmi (’26) shared her firsthand experience with the challenges posed by scheduling conflicts. During her freshman year, she faced the dilemma of attending a class that overlapped with important club meetings and activities. Reflecting on this, she remarked, “I had a 4:25-6:05 class during my first semester of freshman year. Being an evening class, the timing conflicted with a lot of activities or club meetings. Of the three clubs I signed up for, two had their general/weekly meetings during this time. As a result, I often felt like I was missing out on a pivotal part of college life, especially when starting, and I had a hard time connecting with people with similar interests.”
The challenges surrounding Drew’s events are complex and require careful consideration. While these activities play a vital role in building community and student engagement, low attendance signals an underlying issue that must be promptly addressed.
Other universities have faced similar challenges and emerged with stronger, more involved student bodies. Increasing awareness of The Path and refining information circulation methods will boost attendance. Adjusting activity times and creating class-free slots would minimize conflicts and enhance participation. By actively addressing these issues, Drew University can foster a more inclusive community of vibrant, engaged students.
Samantha De Falco is a junior majoring in English and minoring in Italian.
Lapo Miles is a sophomore double-majoring in studio art and psychology.
Featured image courtesy of Pexels.com.
