Student organizations come together for Union Block Party

04/16/09 - University of Rhode Island students attended the Union Board's Block Party in front of the Memorial Union yesterday, browsing the various student groups, foods and games.The party started at 11 a.m. and continued until 2 p.m. At one point during the event, more than 150 students lined up to make banners, make their own stuffed animals, sign up for student organizations and play games, such as laser tag.

According to Union Board member Alyssa Frezza, the Union Board frequently hosts events that allow students to promote their organizations and interact with other students. Block Party is the Union Board's biggest event each year. The event this year cost about $9,000, a similar cost compared to previous years.

"We usually put on free events in and around the union every month," Frezza said. "Once a year we have Block Party, which is our huge everything-is-free party."

The Union Board sold stuffed animals for $3 to pay for the event and fundraise for the future. Although the event was mostly student organizations, the Union Board paid for an event planner to organize Block Party.

"We want to get more students involved and aware of groups around the Union," Frezza said.

Fifteen student organizations set up tables featuring activities and food on the lawn in front of the Memorial Union.

The University of Rhode Island Classics Society was promoting its upcoming event, "Agora," an ancient-world themed marketplace that will feature fortune telling by a professor and ancient-themed art. "Agora" is scheduled for April 24 in front of the Memorial Union.

The URI Outing Club had a table full of outdoor equipment such as backpacks, nylon climbing rope and a tent set up beside the table.

"It was a slow start at first but a lot of people came during the day," Outing Club President Bridget Griffith said. "Block Party is always a good way to advertise our club. The stuff on the table seems to attract a lot of people."

193 Degrees Coffee House was giving away free coffee at its table.

"[Block Party] was banging," Eric Hilton of the coffee house said. "My favorite part was asking people if they want free coffee, then having them ask me if it costs anything."

Other student groups included the Public Relations Society, Habitat for Humanity, WBRU, the URI Sailing Club and The Mob. Habitat For Humanity had a banner-making table, WBRU was doing promotions and The Mob had a small basketball hoop set up for students to use.

Yesterday's event was the last one the Union Board planned for the semester.