We realize it's real important to get the freshman's attention at the beginning of the year. For the next six weeks after Welcome Weekend the RA's provide a program a week because we want to get the word out to students very early about academics, involvement, all leading to a successful college experience and retention of students. It went over real well. Some charge a nominal fee just to make the program look attractive to students, but since the resident hall students already pay, we try whenever possible to make programming free. Exceptions include road trips to Cleveland Indian's games, basketball and football games, and an annual shopping trip to Pittsburgh that's popular with students.
Students pay a dollar, which gives then two votes for their favorite act.
That's our philanthropic project, I guess you'd say. Dennis said the UPB also offers mostly free programming, charging only for a forum series on campus that brings in lecturers and is also open to the community. If there's any overriding philosophy in both boards' programming, it's about giving students the opportunity to take their programs and run. They make the decisions, they do the programs. Yes, there are hitches because it's a learning experience, but we're there to give them that experience and the chance to use their leadership.