Reunion Social Project Group

The Social Project Group serves as the hosts and experience designers for your class or cluster during Reunion. Your role is to shape welcoming spaces, the class/cluster tent and lounge, and plan social moments, especially the Thursday evening Welcome Event, that feel like the right fit for your classmates. You'll have a transparent budget to guide your choices, and we look to you to set the tone.

That said, you are not expected to be hands-on hosts all weekend. Your primary role is to prepare and coordinate. Be sure to explore the Activities at Reunion page for an overview of experiences that are already in place. If you choose more elaborate elements, you'll either help put them into action or organize your classmates to do so - but we encourage a light-touch approach so you can fully enjoy Reunion too. 

Core Responsibilities

  • Plan the feel and setup of your class/cluster lounge and tent
  • Organize the Thursday evening Welcome Event (8 to 10 p.m.)
  • Create and submit your Social Request List by March 1
  • Purchase supplies to support your plans and save receipts for reimbursement, or include them in the Social Request List for staff to purchase
  • Coordinate volunteers, as needed, to help bring plans to life

Each class or cluster is given a lounge and tent as your Reunion home base. The Social Group's role is to make these spaces inviting and conducive to connection and camaraderie.

Creating the Space 

Think of your group as the architects of the Reunion atmosphere. You decide what will resonate with your classmates, whether that's simple and relaxed or a bit more themed and structured.

One of the greatest gifts a planning committee can give classmates is time:

  • Time to reconnect with old friends
  • Time to meet new people
  • Time to attend other Reunion activities
  • Time to enjoy campus
  • Time to simply be present

The College provides:

  • Tables, chairs, and lighting in the tent
  • A fully stocked baseline of lounge/kitchen supplies

You can request additional items or add your own touches within your budget.

How it comes together:

  • Your requested supplies will be delivered to your class lounge on Thursday afternoon
  • Your Reunion Student Staff (RSS) Class Ambassador will be available to help you unpack and set up
  • The Social Group (or volunteers you coordinate) will take the lead on setup and execution

As you plan your space, capture what you'll need in your Social Request List (due March 1) so we can have everything waiting for you when you arrive.

Complete Your Social Events Request Form

Thursday Welcome Event

This is your main planned gathering and the Social Group's biggest moment as hosts.

The College provides:

  • Beer, wine, water, non-alcoholic beverages, and light snack mix
  • Bartenders
  • A PA system (mic + audio connection + speakers)

You decide the tone - anything from a simple playlist and mingling to a slideshow or activity. Simple is absolutely okay; Reunion already brings great energy.

Social Leads

Being a lead is simple and meaningful - you are the glue that keeps your group connected and productive.

Leads plan an important role not only in the realization of the group's plans, but also in ensuring that all committee members have opportunities to contribute throughout the planning process.

What Leads Do

Call Meetings as Needed

Leads help keep planning moving by bringing the group together between full committee meetings.

  • Schedule project group meetings as needed
  • Share updates during full committee meetings
  • Help ensure all members have opportunities to participate
  • Keep conversations moving toward decisions and deadlines

Support Accessibility and Participation

Interim project group meetings are especially important for members who cannot attend the four full committee meetings.

Because they are smaller, project groups are easier to schedule and provide an important opportunity to participate. The project group conversations often become one of the most rewarding parts of the Reunion planning experience.

Let the Work Guide the Meeting Schedule

Every group and what they are supporting can be different. Some social plans require several planning conversations. Others come together quickly.

The group should decide together how often to meet based on:

  • The complexity of the plans and the amount of coordination required
  • Volunteer availability
  • Whether decisions can be handled by email or would benefit from discussion

There is no "right" number of meetings. The goal is the natural fit that supports both the work and the people doing it.

Support

You'll be supported by:

  • DAR staff for planning, logistics, and resources
  • A dedicated RSS Class Ambassador for your class/cluster

Lounge Supplies (Provided)

Each lounge includes a core set of hosting supplies. You do not need to request these items, unless you'd like to clarify particular details. These supplies, and the cooler, will be delivered in 2 grey bins to your lounge and tent on Thursday. Your student Class Ambassador needs your guidance in setting up.

  • Coffee setup and a hot water kettle
  • Cooler (with ice by request of your Class Ambassador until 11 p.m.)
  • Disposable cups, plates, napkins, and serving items
  • Basic kitchen tools and cleaning supplies
  • Office supplies (tape, scissors, markers)

Deadlines

  • March 1: Submit your Social Request List (all supplies, shopping you would like DAR staff to do, and AV needs)

Complete Your Social Events Request Form

In short: You are the planners and tone-setters. With a clear budget and strong support, you'll design spaces and moments that feel right for your classmates, without needing to spend the weekend "on duty" unless you choose to.