What does the $20/semester Residence Hall Activity Fee cover?

The $20/semester activity fee is assessed by the Student Housing Administrative Council (SHAC), which is the student government for students in University Housing. The fee is used for all events, activities, prizes, snacks, etc., that SHAC and the other student organizations in Housing put on, that the RAs host, and that the professional staff plan. While COVID has definitely changed how things are done, these organizations and staff members have worked to make sure there are still adapted activities for students in the residence halls. Some of these include:

  • Weekly events “Every Thursday at 9:27pm” hosted by the Panther Activities Committee (PAC), which have taken place in Sandburg and Cambridge every week since the first week of school. These have had limited in-person capacity and grab-and-go options so students can choose their comfort level, and each week they plan for about 75-150 students depending on the activity (paint kits, karaoke, game nights, crafts)
  • Fall Welcome events the first week students got here, Sex Week events every day one week in October, Homecoming events every day for a week in November, and Mental Health Week events in December.
  • Movie/game/TV watch parties in Flicks, including grab-and-go-snacks. This includes payment for the license to show movies.
  • SHAC and NRHH have created over 500 care packages for students in quarantine and isolation, with supplies students might forget and things to entertain them in their rooms.
  • SHAC has voted to use some of the funds to purchase more inclusive masks with clear fronts for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community
  • RAs have had grab-and-go style events during their weekly lounge hours, as well as a few virtual events each. This has been things like pumpkin decorating/handouts, microwave s’mores kits, gratitude & self-care activities, academic supply handouts, floor decorating, Among Us game nights, Trivia Nights, etc.
  • Academic series such as Smart Panther, which is handing out academic supplies and personalized academic help, along with free t-shirts.