Roger Life: Making Multiple Plans for One Goal - Spring Week

Sophomore Sydney Holmes and Senior Rees Harold, Campus Entertainment Network Traditions Chairs, have been working hard to plan RWU's annual Spring Week this week, known for its concert, comedy show, block party, and fireworks. They encourage their fellow Hawks to keep to RWU's pandemic protocols so that Spring Week and other yearly traditions can be enjoyed as fully as possible. 

Each Event Has Multiple Plans: “We’ve been able to host full, in-person events this semester,” said Harold. “It’s been a huge learning experience. Every event has a Plan A, B, C, and D. It takes a lot of meetings, a lot of talking, and a lot of planning. We are working closely with Carol Sacchetti [Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Programs, Leadership, & Orientation], who is working closely with John King [Vice President of Student Life]. We are also working with outside vendors, so we reach out to them and make sure each food truck or amusement vendor’s policy is adapted to what is required for Roger Williams.”

COVID Testing Allows For Fun: “RWU’s COVID testing program is almost like having a little bubble where we can feel safer knowing that everyone on campus is being tested. It allows us to put on our traditional events,” Holmes said. “People know how much the event planners go through to make sure everyone is following social distancing guidelines, so they can relax and have fun. We see all our work pay off because we see how happy and excited the students are to be there.” 

Seeing Spring Come to Fruition: “It’s amazing that we are able to be here, this far in the semester, and that we made it all through last semester,” Harold said. “I really wanted to finish in person, graduate, and see all the events I wanted to do last spring come to fruition. This is what we’ve been working on for a long time. We want to put it on for everybody.”

Harold, of Westerly, R.I., is majoring in Political Science and will be working for the Fire Logistics Communication office in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming after graduating. Holmes, of Chelmsford, Mass., is majoring in Public Relations. 

Spring Week 2021 Events

• Monday, April 26th, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Rugby Field (inclement weather location Gravel Parking Lot by Lot D)
  Mt. Hope Fest
  A day of ziplining, climbing of the rock wall, and a green screen photo booth at the Rugby Field.
   
• Tuesday, April 27th, 7-10 p.m., Tennis Courts 
  Rogeroo: Roller Skating Festival
  A night roller skating under the stars! Skates provided at the event.
   
• Wednesday, April 28th, 8-10 p.m., Quad Tent 
  Craftchella: Craft Night
  A Coachella-themed craft night with a variety of craft stations, and Black Dog Donuts food truck, too!
   
• Thursday, April 29th,  8-10:30 p.m., Field House and GHH Lawn
  RogBall: Spring Concert featuring AJR with Aly & AJ
  A night of music from Aly & AJ and our headliner, AJR! Students must RSVP on Hawk Link for a space in the Field House or on the GHH Lawn. Space is subject to capacity limits, so RSVP while spots are still available. Students will also be able to view the concert via Zoom. The registration link for access via Zoom will be available on Hawk Link in the coming days. 
   
• Friday, April 30th, 8-9:30 p.m., Field House and GHH Lawn
  Comedy Fest featuring Jay Pharoah
  A night of laughs with Saturday Night Live alum Jay Pharoah. Students must RSVP on Hawk Link for a space in the Field House or on the GHH Lawn. Space is subject to capacity limits, so RSVP while spots are still available. Students will be able to view the concert via Zoom. The registration link for access via Zoom will be available on Hawk Link. 
   
• Saturday, May 1st, 2-6 p.m., Lot D (North Campus Residence Hall parking lot)
  Swoopapalooza: Block Party
  An afternoon at the Block Party with carnival games, food trucks, and music! Students will be able to sign up for a one-hour time slot to attend the Block Party. Students can sign up for the following time slots: 2-3 p.m., 3-4 p.m., 4-5 p.m., and 5-6 p.m. There will be student performances and food trucks at every time slot, so you won’t miss out on the fun, regardless of the time you chose.  
   
• Saturday, May 1st, 8 p.m., GHH Lawn and D’Angelo Common 
  Rog Fest: Spring Week Fireworks
  Fireworks are the closing tradition of Spring Week!  Enjoy from designated viewing areas on both the D’Angelo Common and GHH Lawn. The first 350 students can pick up a free novelty ice cream from an ice cream truck on D’Angelo Common.   

We plan to keep sharing stories of Roger Life and welcome suggestions: Email: stories@rwu.edu.