Planning a Campus Event: Olivia Linder

Olivia Linder is a senior at Wellesley College and has been on the Schneider Board of Governors since her first year. She currently holds the position of Director of On Campus Affairs and is responsible for on campus events that range from small coffee houses to the biggest party on campus (Remix).

Her Campus Wellesley: Can you explain, for people who aren't familiar with college government at Wellesley, what the DOOCA's responsibilities are?
OL: The DOOCA chairs SBOG, the event programming committee on campus. We plan events from Remix [a dance party], to Lake Day [an outside fair], movie nights, and coffee house [with live music]. We also plan Spring Week, which usually consists of 2 concerts, Block Party, and a full day of events on Marathon Monday. I also took on the responsibility of planning two concerts for the revived Fall Frenzy. Other than that, I go to Senate, Academic Council, College Government Cabinet, Unity, and sit on the Committee for Lectures and Cultural Events (CLCE).

HCW: When did you join SBOG and why?
OL: I joined the Schneider Board of Governors (SBOG) in the April of my first-year. Why did I join? One of my best friends, Evann Schwerm, had just been elected Director of On-Campus Affairs (DOOCA) and she thought I would be a great addition to the team. Honestly, I didn't really know what SBOG did other than plan REMIX, the party at the beginning of the year. My first week on the job I learned quickly what SBOG was all about as I was building a stage for the Spring Concert performer.

HCW: What made you interested in running for DOOCA?
OL: Well, to me, it was more the question, "Why not run for DOOCA?" I couldn't think of anything, so I ran. I like event planning, I like the people I work with on SBOG, and I had the time to take on more responsibility.

HCW: How would a Wellesley student know if joining SBOG or becoming DOOCA was right for her?
OL: Before applying for SBOG, I would join another organization or two and see what kind of work you do there. If you find yourself coming up with creative event ideas, pubbing for events through creating flyers or postering at other colleges, SBOG could be for you. A lot of people think you need to have an ear for music to be on SBOG. If that was true, I would work at WZLY. It can be helpful, but definitely not required to be on SBOG.

HCW: What advice do you have for possible future applicants?
OL: Know how to spell SBOG (it does not have a P), know how to say SBOG (Said SPOG, Not S-BOG), know what events we sponsor. If you know these three things, you will be considered as a legitimate candidate for a SBOG position.

HCW: Are you involved in any other organizations on campus? How does the affect the decisions you make as DOOCA?
OL: Along with being DOOCA I am also the co-President of the Phi Sigma Lecture Society and I work at the Computing HelpDesk. They really didn't have much of an affect on my decision to run as DOOCA. I'm pretty good at managing my time, so I don't find that my schedules for the different positions overlap too often.

HCW: Is it hard to balance being DOOCA, finishing your Wellesley career and a social life?
OL: Three reasons why I don't find it that hard: I don't require much sleep, I like to procrastinate, and I have an iPhone. Needing less sleep means more working hours in the day and more hours to spend with my other organizations and having a good time (other than having to work at on-campus events for the past 3 years, SBOG has not been a hindrance to my social life at all). When I procrastinate, I usually end up doing work for SBOG. And a lot of the work I do as DOOCA is through email. My iPhone makes me fully accessible to agents, vendors, and the student activities office practically 24/7.

HCW: Fall Frenzy was so much fun, what gave you the idea to bring it back?
OL: It was actually brought up by a Senior Staff member last year. He asked me what SBOG did during its usual hibernation period from Lake Day to Spring Week (essentially from October to April). I told him we usually put on a few low-key events to save our budget for Spring Week. He told me that was too bad and moved on. I was going through the SBOG archives back in August and I found a few flyers for Fall Frenzy, a weekend of fun events. I brought them to Cabinet and we decided that we would fund a new and improved Fall Frenzy.

HCW: Aside from Spring Week what's up next for SBOG?
OL: Other than Spring Week events, we don't have too much in the works. We are doing something pretty different this year, so we've been focusing on that. However, we will be announcing our Spring Week schedule at Punch’s Alley on March 11th at 8 PM.

HCW: Are there any secrets about Spring Week that you can divulge?
OL: Something that is definitely different will be appearing, but that's all you'll get until March 11th.