Although most students are gone, campus is still alive thanks to a summer entertainment series hosted by summer student coordinators.
Options for summer entertainment include Daytime Distractions and Screen on the Green, which are both held once a week on campus.
Daytime Distractions consists of outdoor concerts or unique activities, such as a larger version of chess and Jenga, held on the Commons Green every Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. student summer coordinator Julie Bixler said.
Movies, meanwhile, are shown on an inflatable screen at Screen on the Green, which is held on the Tower Lawn at 8:45 p.m. every Thursday in the summer. Upcoming movies are “Frozen,” “The Lego Movie” and “Up.”
Senior Dakota Willett, who has yet to attend this summer, went to Screen on the Green last year to watch “The Hobbit.” He said he liked the big inflatable screen.
“There isn’t always a lot to do in Moscow,” Willett said. “I think it is nice that campus provides this [entertainment].”
Student attendance of the summer entertainment is not very high simply because many students are not on campus, Bixler said. Students also said they have not heard of the summer entertainment or do not have time to attend.
However both summer activities are open to the public. Most of those who attend are staff and faculty members as well as the community, Bixler said.
Bixler said it was rewarding to see families enjoying the movie and kids laughing when “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” played on June 25th.
“A lot of families go [to Screen on the Green] in the summer,” said Bixler. “There’s a drive-in movie feel.”
As summer student coordinator, Bixler plans the events for each week and has to advertise through posters and social media. She also has to make sure to follow through with the plan to make sure the event goes on, such as reserving the lawn and checking that everything is working smoothly with sound production.
Bixler said she decided to become a summer student coordinator to be involved in school before she graduates. She wanted to gain experience in coordinating events and working with sound production — Bixler wishes she had applied sooner.
“I would totally do it again,” Bixler said. “I like that I have a say in our student involvement.”
Most of the concerts are performed by local music acts Department of Student Involvement Assistant Director Katie Dahlinger said. The first concert this summer was a jazz performance put on by UI faculty members, most of whom are a part of the music department. Upcoming musical acts are Sesitshaya Marimba Ensemble and Palouse Project.
Sophomore Jennifer Mylan said she enjoyed partaking in Daytime Distractions, especially watching people make fools of themselves. Mylan said she would attend regularly if she had the time.
Taking a break to have fun and meet new people is at the core of the summer entertainment.
“It would make me sad not to do it,” Dahlinger said. “A lot of the talk is that it adds life to campus, and I would say that is important.”
Elizabeth Garcia | UI Journalism Workshop