Members of the Residence Assistance Community, or RCA, as well as other campus organizations, put together a carnival-type event in the parking lot of Honors Hall on Friday, April 11 to celebrate as students near the end of the semester and de-stress before finals. It was a time for the community to bond before buckling down to study.
About the event
The parking lot outside of the Honors dorms was blocked off all day so that students could set up for the Lot Fest. Members of several different organizations set up booths around the parking lot with games and prizes for students to engage with as they walked around.
Kalli Koppin, one of the Resident Assistants in Honors Hall, shared what the purpose of this event was.
“We were just wanting to bring students together to have some fun, and hopefully relax before finals week starts,” Koppin said.
There are many Residence Assistants to help with the large number of students, primarily freshmen, who live in Honors Hall. Each Resident Assistant works to help their residents with anything they need. Each Resident Assistant plans their own events for the students on their floor.
Koppin had been working on her event since the start of the semester because of the amount of planning that went into it. In addition to reaching out to other organizations to get booths set up, she was also in charge of ordering the food trucks and different vendors.
Alex Feckner is another Residential Assistant for Honors Hall. She and other members of RCA attended the event to support and de-stress.
“I love getting to see all of the students from different groups all together just hanging out. The best part, though, is the tacos,” Feckner said.
Some other campus organizations that hosted booths included campus police, the African American Residential Caucus, members of campus Greek Life and others.
Between the planning done by Koppin and the assistance of other campus members, there were many games and activities for students to do. They had cornhole set up, a high striker carnival game and mini games with prizes. There was also a variety of food trucks and snacks provided at different booths.
Campus support
More than anything else at the Lot Fest, students seemed to enjoy spending time together. When students are coming in, especially as freshmen, they do not know many other people. Building this community is a big first step to getting adjusted to the college experience.
The Spring 2025 semester is nearing the end, and as finals approach, this community becomes even more important. It helps students manage their stress, stay focused and tap into valuable resources.
Tina Murtagh, a writer for the National Honor Society website, shared some insight into how deeply building a community on campus affects not only your college experience but the college campus as a whole.
“Student organizations are not merely extracurricular activities; they are architects of inclusive college communities. Through their dedication to diversity, cultural awareness, community outreach, mentorship, and collaborative events, these groups actively contribute to shaping a campus environment that celebrates differences and embraces diversity,” Murtagh said.
Residential Assistants are more than just rule enforcers or floor monitors. They are student leaders, mentors and vital community builders. Residential Assistants live in the residence halls to be a direct resource to students who are looking for help and do not know where to start. They check in on students throughout the semester, tell them about campus resources and share study tips.
The campus community is a powerful tool for student success, especially during stressful times, like finals week. From forming friendships to leaning on support systems like Resident Assistants, students who engage with their community often find this time of the year a little easier and less stressful.
As a student with finals nearing, be sure to utilize all of the resources WSU has to offer, and do not be afraid to reach out to your Resident Assistant if you need help.
