Programming Ideas?

Hello Pratt Resident Advisors! This blog serves a catalogue of programming ideas (from basic to quirky) complete with commentary and lots of kpop gifs (because what's the point in having hundreds of gifs if I never use them?). The ask box is open for submissions too! Feel free to share ideas of programming that has worked for you.

[ra-programming]

Mocktails (Date Rape Prevention Education)

Mocktails are always fun, so why not add an educational aspect?

Budget: $30-40 for ingedients for drinks (mocktail recipes available all over the itnerwebs) and red stickers.

Instructions/Tips:

1) Advertise the social as a normal mocktail social, don't mention the date rape aspect. 

2) Have the social, themed usually helps (like jazz night or the beach).

3) Serve the drinks and encourage residents to stay and socialize (like you wouldn't already).

4) Have another RA (or resident) go around the room and socialize. While doing so, they will place a red sticker on the bottom of cups left unattended or the bottom of cups of people who aren't paying attention. (don't use clear plastic cups).

5) Before the social ends, ask residents to check the bottom of their cups, if they have a red sticker it means that they have been "drugged."

6) Discuss the dangers of drinking in unfamiliar places and date rape with the residents. 

[ra-programming]

Hello New Followers!

So, I'll be adding programming and such as we continue to program on my campus, but if you have ideas, the ask box is open for suggestions. 

just, you know, throwing that out there. 

Thank you for following!

[ra-programming]

This is true. Sorry for not clarifying. 

[ra-programming]

Kpop and Ramen

You'd be surprised how many kpop enthusiasts are out there...

Group Program, provide ramen and a chance to watch music videos and talk about your biases. This program can be adjusted for specific fandoms. 

Budget: $40.

Used for: Lots of Shin Ramen. (we had make-up do to kpop makeovers, but that isn't necessary).

You'll Need:

1) A Projector and Speakers

2) A hot pot, or something to cook the ramen.

3) Lounge Space.

Instructions/Tips:

1) SET UP EARLY.

2) People will come just for the food, try to make them stay.

3) Let the residents DJ, but have playlist at the ready.

4) Having optional karaoke didn't work out, no one danced either. 

Why It works: Fandom specific socials offer residents, who's friends may or may not enjoy obsessing over the same things, a chance to meet people with similar interests and indulge themselves for an evening. 

[ra-programming]

Movie Night.

Always a go-to for programming, but it has to be done correctly.

Instructions/Tips:

1) Rent a projector from the library. Speakers help too.

2) Don't just choose a random movie, make the whole program themed around the movie. 

3) Make sure your residents are interested in the film you chose.

4) Educational/Controversial films can help to start a dialogue, but can also make residents feel uncomfortable. 

5) Use a lounge, not your room. 

[ra-programming]

Door Stop Painting.

For communities who like to have their doors open (probably not Willoughby, ideally the Can).

Decorate rocks/ bricks with your residents that they can then use as door stops.

Budget: $15 for paint. Brushes are in your RA office. There might even be paint in your office, which could save some money.

Tips/Instructions:

1) Have each resident bring their own rock or brick or something heavy.

2) Mix the paints, and let them go wild.

Works best in freshman dorms.

[ra-programming]

Silent Study Hall.

Because everyone's roommates seem to get more annoying during finals and liberal arts classes have finals too.

Budget: $10-15, Just for snacks. If it's the end of the semester, you can use your no CAD money (proved you earned it) and make it a pizza study party. 

Instructions/Tips:

1) Turn your lounge into a comfortable silent (mostly) study hall for an evening. By providing snacks and gauranteed silence, you offer your residents a break from their room that isn't as far away as the library.

2) Keep in running for several hours and see who stops in, most people study late at night anyway.

3) It can be a chance for peer counseling if residents need help with concepts. Also brings residents together in a way that may allow them to tutor each other or figure out classes/subjects they share. 

Why it works: Rarely do socials focus on simply providing a space for students to do their work, and all too often we forget that most Pratt Students have classes that aren't studio courses. Even residents forget this. By providing a designated time and place to study, you are giving the residents an opportunity to focus on the classes they neglect and also the chance for them to help each other. 

[ra-programming]

Phone Decorating

If arts and crafts are your thing, or you just like to bedazzle things.

Budget Needed: $25-30

To Be Used On: Nail Decorations, stickers, etc.

Instructions/Tips:

1) Buy a variety of finger nail decorations, rhinestones, strange stickers and such. Pain pens, blank label stickers. 

2) Have residents decorate their cell phones for free!

Why it works: It's a creative outlet that is also a bit silly. Goes over well with the female population.

[ra-programming]

Sex Ed

Engaging in a dialogue about sex is healthy for residents. 

Budget: All you'll need is snacks, so that's up to you.

Tips/Instructions:

1) The social can be run as a forum or discussion.

2) Or, you can team up with another RA and educate a group of residents.

3) Keeping it light but also serious is key.

4) Disprove sexual myths, clarify what safe sex is, discuss consent, even gender theory. 

5) For added fun, you can hold a sex quiz and give away candy (or condoms) for correct answers.

Why it works: Because sometimes residents just need a safe space to discuss their concerns and learn about things they may be too nervous to ask about. 

[ra-programming]

Slip and Slide

If executed with care, no residents will be harmed.

A hallway slip n slide is a great first program and will impress your residents. Also, it's really fun.

Budget: $50. 

To be used for: plastic, shaving cream or oil. 

Instructions/Tips: 

1) go to Home Depot and buy a long sheet (10-15 feet) of black plastic, make sure it's thick. Alternatively: use industrial strength trash bags.

2) Make sure to cover the walls and all the floor of the area you are using.

3) Spray shaving cream or pour oil along the strip. Shaving cream is best.

4) Put some form of cushion at the end of the slide.

Why it Works: Because it's weird and fun. 

[ra-programming]

Bergen Breakfast

Bergen is ALWAYS more expensive than you think it is.

Residents are always thankful when you provide breakfast and I think Bergen may secretly be the way to any Pratt student's heart. However, A Bergen Breakfast will be a big chunk out of your budget, especially if you buy coffee.

Another option is Bagel World, which offers vegan bagels and slightly cheaper prices. 

Budget Needed: $40 (With coffee, 3 spreads and a couple dozen bagels), $25 (Just bagels and spread). 

[ra-programming]

Water Gun Fight/ Nerf Battle.

A way to cool off and get outside. 

In either the late summer or spring, a water gun fight makes for an active social that can lure residents out of the dorms. 

Budget: $25 (to order the water guns, maybe a prize).

Instructions/Tips:

1) Order the toy water guns ahead of time. 

2) Advertise well, make the meeting place (outside the building or something) and time very clear.

3) Take residents to the lawn or courtyard, give them the water guns and let them go at it.

4) They will probably run out of water quickly, bring extra. 

Another Way to Go About This:

1) If you notice that many of your residents have Nerf guns, make it a nerf battle instead. 

Why it works: Because residents might secretly like to be outside and not so secretly think that they are ninjas. 

[ra-programming]

Assassins.

What better way to bond that to have residents try to shoot each other with water guns? (Or safety Pins)

This requires a lot of planning and time on your part and promised participation by your residents. 

Budget: $25 (for prize).

Instructions:

1) Advertise like crazy and leave a sign up sheet outside your door.

2) After everyone has signed up, assign each resident a target and email them.

3) The rules are simple: take out your target by getting them wet.

4) Their bedroom and class halls are off limits. 

5) Watch them try to attack each other and have them report take outs to you. When someone is taken out, the person who killed them assumes their target.

6) Last man standing wins. 

For the fiercely competitive (and dedicated) residents, this program works. However, you have to have willing residents and a lot of time to devote to execution. My tip: make the prize awesome and talk up the program long before you put up the sign up sheet. 

[ra-programming]

Tea Party

Because residents really like tea. 

A tea party works great as a laid back weekend social in the middle of the semester. It's quick and doesn't require a lot of commitment on their part. 

Budget: $15 (for tea). If you want crumpets, that's your prerogative. 

1) Have tea bags set out and ask residents to bring their own mugs. Other than that, all you have to do is keep the water boiling and encourage conversation. 

[ra-programming]

Reverse Trick or Treating

As far as door to doors go, it's pretty basic.

Budget: $10-15, for candy and treats

Instructions:

Instead of having residents go door to door to trick or treat, you go door to door with candy (and conversation) on halloween. Make sure to advertise it though!

[ra-programming]

Some Tips For Decorating

Fliers are rarely enough to lure residents into programs. Well done advertising is affective, but residents still forget days and times. That's why decorating for a program is so important. If you are having a program in your room and all you do is leave your door open, half the hall probably wont notice that your room is open. 

I find that something as simple as hanging streamers outside your door is enough to remind residents that there is a program. Also, it shows that you put effort into whatever activity you are doing and that you want them to know where it is. 

Leaving trails of something that lead to the program location is also helpful (but glitter is a terror to clean up). Just keep CAD in mind. 

[ra-programming]

Floor Bowling.

Because who doesn't want to aggressively throw cantaloupe down the hallway?

Floor Bowling is an unconventional program that works well as a first or second program/ social of the semester. Residents are given the option of throwing a fruit a few times, or staying for the whole program.

Budget: $15-$20. For Cantaloupe and other food that you will eat, not throw. 

You'll Need:

1) About 4 Cantaloupe. They seem to be in season in the fall. Make sure they are pretty round and solid. For best results, color fake finger holes on to them. 

2) 10 Water bottles (save them up for a week or so before hand). Fill them with water.

3) A couple pillows or cushions to place behind the pins. 

4) Some sort of snack. Pouched juice and chips are acceptable.

5) A large piece of paper to act as a score chart.

Set Up:

1) Arrange the pins in standard bowling formation at one end of hall. Place a stack of pillows behind to ensure that the fruit doesn't crash into a door.

2) Place a strip of tape near the center of the hall as the starting line. 

Tips/ Instructions:

1) Have a resident volunteer (read: coerce a resident) to keep scores on the piece of butcher paper by the starting line.

2) You or a resident can stand behind the water bottle pins to stop the ball and re-set up the pins after the second throw.

3) When residents walk by, ask them if they want to just try throwing it once, but make sure you record their score. You'd be amazed what competitiveness does for participation. 

4) Don't choose a time when too many residents will be getting on/off the elevator, otherwise you will just cause a traffic jam.

5) Keep an eye on the fruit, it will get soft and combust after 25 or so throws. 

Why it Works: Because it's weird and residents are curious and have probably never thrown fruit down the hallway with permission before. Also, it's weird enough to be a good ice breaker for community building at the beginning of the semester.