The Campus Activities Board (CAB) has been offering interesting events such as Wingo Bingo, The Flop and Meijer Mania for years now. The process for putting on these events requires a lot of hard work, time and effort.
Trent Palmer, the director of CAB and the 10 “cabbies,” plan and execute CAB events on campus. It all starts with a meeting before each semester to decide on the events for that semester.
During the event selection process, they try to poll the student body on what kinds of events they might be interested in.
After the cabbies choose the events, they start planning right away. They immediately determine the date, time, location and cost of the events. Among the 10 staff members, they assign a primary person for each event. Under the head person, there are also three other cabbies called “points” who help lead the event. There are also scooters, student volunteers, who help run the events every week.
“There is a tier leadership model for each of our events: point person, cabbies, then scooters,” Palmer said. “It teaches each of our cabbies to have ownership in one event while also learning how to delegate work so the event goes smoothly.”
After an event is over, CAB determines whether the event was successful and worth bringing back for another semester. CAB wants to keep things fresh with a mix between old and new. However, there are events that will never go away like Disco, Dancing and Donuts and The Flop.
Events are classified as successful when a variety of students attend the event. Every week CAB has a meeting to evaluate the event. They ask who came, who they want to come and what can be done better.
“In our fall and spring meetings, we ask the cabbies to present two to three events we have done from the past, along with four or five new events,” Palmer said. “Some events just have run their course. AU Gladiators was very successful for a number of years, but it just got too violent and needed a break.”
Some events benefit from a break. Laser Tag in the Library made its return after a one-year hiatus.
The life of a cabbie and a scooter can be stressful as a student, but also rewarding.
“It’s been so much fun. Probably the best decision I’ve made on campus,” said cabbie Lucy Stultz.
Each cabbie has their own PR, or personal responsibility. Chapel announcer, athletic coordinator, outreach coordinator and videographer are just some of the responsibilities a cabbie might have.
Cabbies are completely hands-on and behind the scenes. Cabbies have the responsibility to present between five and eight ideas for an event ranging from Mocha Joe’s, Friday night and weekend ideas. Each idea is voted on by the other cabbies for the entire year.
Alana Weber came up with the idea of having a life-size game night.
“I pitched the idea to the other cabbies and gave some details,” she said. “This semester, Me’lada Morgan is in charge of that event.”
Scooters help with the actual event rather than with the planning. How much work a scooter actually does depends on the event. For some events, scooters just help with set up and tear down. For others, they have some creative control. A scooter has a very flexible schedule. Unlike a cabbie, they have the option to participate in an event.
Many scooters are underclassmen wanting to become a cabbie. It is encouraged to be a scooter in order to get accustomed to the cabbie life.
“Being a scooter is pretty good,” said Nate Hayes. “It helps with volunteer experience and helps people do good in the community at AU.”
From Haunted Haus, to BOND, to Escape AU, CAB puts hours of work into event planning. Each event is a complete team effort from the entire CAB crew.