The mission: Attend as many Evergreen events that are free for students as I can!
The back story: I’m a senior and to be honest I’ve only attended one Evergreen event during my time here. I’m similar to most other students in that I have a 16 credit program and two jobs.
So when I’m not in class or working I would like to be at home sleeping. Which, I think, a lot of people can relate to! But, I also want to find new ways to be involved on campus. So this week I set out on a quest to find out what events at Evergreen are better than being asleep.
Wow, I hope people don’t hate me for this. In my reviews I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help me God.
For those who are unaware, every student is sent an email at the start of every week listing all of the events open to them. It’s called the Geoduck calendar. If you’re a student, you’ve probably seen it in your inbox and scrolled right past. I opened it and was shocked to find there were about 30 events for the whole week. That’s a lot!
The first problem wasn’t my class or work schedule, it was actually identifying what events I could go to because every event overlaps or takes place at the same time as another event! Out of the 30ish events happening all week, it would be humanly possible to only attend 12 of them from start to finish—that is if you didn’t have work or school. I managed to get to eight of them (which is super impressive).
My first option on Tuesday, given my availability, was that I could either go to:
Acro-Yoga — an acro-yoga class in the the Costantino Recreation Center (CRC). 5 to 6:20 p.m., CRC 117.
OR
Zumba — a zumba dance session in the CRC. These dance sessions take place from 5:30 to 6:20 p.m., and are located in CRC 314.
Acro-Yoga
I’m not good at yoga, but since I own a lot of yoga pants, I felt like that was the one to go to.
First thoughts: “This is so not yoga.”
I was focused on the yoga part but this class is definitely more about the acrobat part.
How to know if this class is for you:
- If you don’t care about the smell of feet, then you’ll be okay.
- If you’ve ever had a dream about being in Cirque du Soleil then this is for you!
- Also this class is for you if you are nose blind and want a good stretch session.
- If you have a buddy. This is a dream for you.
How to know if this class is not for you:
- If you have a thing about feet and feet not in socks, this class is going to be a hard no for you.
- If you can’t commit to attending the beginning classes. I quickly learned that I could not jump in during week seven because everything they learn builds on itself. This is a great aspect of the class if you can come for the first weeks.
The two teachers of this class are Evergreen graduates, young adults, and they are delightful. Anna expertly made every move look effortless while clearly explaining every move. I was highly impressed by them. Check the teachers out on their website almostprecarious.com.
The big question:
Better than sleeping? Personally no, because I don’t like touching other people. But for others who don’t mind and want to learn cool new acro tricks, I would 100 percent recommend.
The next, and final event of the day, started 10 minutes later in the Indoor Bouldering Room. I’ve never done bouldering before and I was really nervous that I was going to break something.
Women’s Climbing Night — climbing night located in Evergreen’s bouldering room. All experience levels are welcome. 6:30 to 8:20 p.m., CRC Indoor Bouldering Room.
Women’s Climbing Night
First thoughts:
The gal leading the night, Maggie, was so nice and welcoming! This activity is another thing that people who don’t like feet are not going to want to do because you have to use the school’s special shoes.
Info you should know before you go:
- You have to wear special shoes
- And leave your I.D.
- Their system is down right now, so you’ll probably have to give them your A number and name and they’ll take it down.
What I learned:
I’m not very good but I’m also not very bad! There are climbing routes throughout the space and the ones marked “easy” were not that easy. BUT they are resetting the wall and said I could come back next Tuesday and set a route! I’m stoked for that! I’m definitely going back and making my own SUPER easy rock climbing route.
Also, the fact that students can set routes explains the super odd and entertaining names for the routes. Some personal favorite route names include: “Rise and Shine” and “Owls Are Not What They Seem.”
I asked the gal in charge of the bouldering room if it is more important to have strength or flexibility. Should I be doing yoga and stretching or doing weights to get better at this?
Her answer: “Flexibility! The more flexible you are the easier climbing will be.” Good to know!
The big question:
Better than sleeping? Yes! I’m glad I was there and not in bed.
Wednesdays at Evergreen are packed with events because ever since the founding of the college, Wednesday afternoons were left open for this specific reason. There were a lot of options but the winner for me was the Geoduck Student Union (GSU) meeting.
GSU Meeting — Geoduck Student Union meeting. 1 to 2:50 p.m., Purce Hall 1.
Geoduck Student Union Assembly
I could write a LOT about what happened but I’ll just give brief highlights.
First thoughts:
- Why was there no sign? The room was moved and it was low-key confusing as heck to find. They should have taped a note to the door or something.
- They have free food! So I guess they have free food every Wednesday. It wasn’t vegan or vegetarian-friendly but I eat meat so I was fine.
- It was the most attended GSU meeting in I guess…forever. It was in Purce Hall 3 and it was packed! Probably 60 people were there. The main topic of discussion was the new Evergreen Pathways. They had to add chairs in the back.
Oops moment!
The purpose of the meeting was to get student feedback on Pathways. If you don’t know what that is, basically it is making sure that certain subjects are always taught so students can always take a class in a specific area. This is a no-brainer at any other college with majors and grades. But at Evergreen we do things different so it’s a new thing. Pathways are not majors or anything specific that is set in stone.
The way the session was set up was using polls everywhere—an electronic way of capturing data. Student responses were kept anonymous and recorded by answering questions online, on their phones. HOWEVER the facilitator, bless her heart, kept pausing after each question to ask for students verbal feedback. We spent 20 minutes on one specific question with students responding verbally (not electronically), giving comments. The comments and opinions being expressed, by the way, were really good and helpful suggestions. A faculty member in the back raised his hand and made a GREAT point by asking These comments are very good, is this session being recorded or is anyone taking notes?” CRICKETS. It was so awkward and I felt so bad for the facilitator because the answer was NO. There was absolutely no way to recall what these students had said verbally. I started laughing so hard I almost choked on my free food.
You have to laugh. It’s so comical; to ask for students’ feedback and then never record it. The students could have just been talking to an empty room for all the good it would do. But besides that little and hilarious goof, it was a great meeting.
I highly recommend that every student attend at least one meeting a quarter to see what is going on. This is a group that is funded through your student fees and is supposed to represent you!
The big question:
Before I went I thought it was going to be a total snoozefest. But I was wrong. Was the meeting better than sleeping? Yes! I got free food and good information about what the college is up to. I was pleasantly surprised.
NEXT!
Off to the Cooper Point Journal’s meeting. These meetings are held every Wednesday at 2 p.m. The Cooper Point Journal’s office is located on the third floor of the Campus Activities Building (CAB) in room 332.
Our meetings are great. Lol.
The big question:
Better than sleeping? Yes! We had a workshop on how to interview. I learned a lot.
WashPIRG Meeting — meeting for those who are a part of, or those who are interested in, WashPIRG; a student activism group. 3 to 4:50 p.m., CAB 323.
First thoughts:
- I chose the WashPIRG group because I had no idea what they did but I know that every quarter I pay an $8 fee to them, so I wanted to see where my money was going.
- What does WashPIRG mean? Answer: Washington Public Interest Research Group.Truly the worst name I’ve ever heard.
- But they were all the sweetest humans; they are so dedicated to helping people.
- They want to create solutions for problems surrounding homelessness and hunger, and to get rid of plastic.
- WashPIRG also wants to plan a survivalist training course.
- It’s so funny how genuine these people are. I think I need to be around more genuine people if my reaction to that is “haha, it’s funny how dedicated you are.”
The big question:
Better than sleeping? No. I definitely would have rather slept.
NEXT!
Graphic Novel Union (GNU) meeting. 5 to 6 p.m., SEM 2 C2107.
First thoughts:
- They were so fun! Four people attended.
- The nicest people.
- One person had pink hair and I was so jealous.
- The club was actually interviewed by another reporter who was leaving when I arrived.
- The GNU gave me tips on how to make a comic and encouraged bad art, which I loved. They talked about how there is a stigma around art and people get scared to show their art and how they are so inviting and wish people knew they were so inviting.
- 10/10 would recommend for anyone interested in drawing and comics. I didn’t have anything and they gave me paper and pens to draw with so don’t worry if you don’t have materials.
Now we’ve reached Thursday, and I’ve already attended more events in two days than I have during the past two years here at this college.
Starting at 5 p.m. on Thursday there were five competing events. Because the Equity Symposium is a special event I felt obligated to go to that. Sorry Common Bread, y’all seem like a cool club.
Equity Symposium opening night
First thoughts:
- The keynote was given by Nikkita Oliver. Listening to her changed my life and I can’t say enough good things about her talk. You can read more about the symposium in this issue’s symposium article of the Cooper Point Journal.
- I met Karen Fraser and she said that she loved my last column, “Top 10 Self-Care Tips to Get You Through 2019.” She’s the chair of The Evergreen Board of Trustees so I was so honored she liked what I wrote.
- Also, there was free food so more students should go to events just for the food.
Overall impact:
Everywhere I went there was an overwhelming sense of inclusion. From every single person I met at the eight events, there was a desire to make every person who came into their space feel included and safe. Everyone wanted inclusivity and wanted their space to be a safe spot whether they directly said that or if it was just the overall vibe and feel of how they talked and the way they carried themselves. It was so impressive to me that out of so many people at so many different events, not a single person in any of these clubs or events was rude or unpleasant to me.
Attending events at Evergreen? Before this week, I would have said no way. Now? I’ll see you there.
@HeyMariah is a student at The Evergreen State College. Her hobbies include making TikTok videos for her 63 thousand followers and drinking hazelnut lattes. She loves that Evergreen’s mascot is a Geoduck who wears a shiny glitter shell because she’s never met a glitter-anything she didn’t love. You can catch her in the morning listening to NPR on the daily and flying to Hawai’i as much as possible.
