Why isn't the Ferg more of a social place on the weekends?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Alabama
1

<p>Is the Ferg ever used as a place for the kids to get together on weekend nights? At my oldest son’s state school, his union has newly released movies every Friday and Saturday night in their theatre (two showings). The next 4 weeks has Fargo, the Twighlight new release, Skyfall, then Wrecked Ralph. These are free to the students, and snacks (popcorn, nachos etc.) are sold at a nominal price. According to my freshman son, he hasn’t seen a movie at UA since WOW’s week’s Hunger Game. Is this because there is nothing offered (except the film clubs classic/foreign movies) or he and I are just unaware that something is offered.</p>

<p>Besides movies, the my oldest son’s Union usually has something else going on. Sometimes they bring in comedy acts (2nd city improvs, known comedians who do the college circuit), sometimes they have just fun trivia contests, or just get-togethers where they have special food and they offer silly crafts etc. Before Christmas they turned their grand ballroom into a roller rink. They also have a bowling alley and game room for groups to get together, more of a club feel than the ones at UA.</p>

<p>This is a great place for friends to go when there is nothing to do; this is especially great for those who might be alone with nothing to do as it puts them in a friendly social situation. Has UA ever tried using their Union as a social gathering place? Or is there someplace else on campus that does this?</p>

2

<p>Good question. Here are some links. Maybe the Ferg needs to better publicize their events. Who knew there was an art gallery in the Ferg. </p>

<p>Looks like there is the Science Olympiad today. That’s usually high school of course. </p>

<p>Movie Series: Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2</p>

<p>Ferguson Center Theater
08:00 pm - 10:00 pm on February 24, 2013</p>

<p>[Ferguson</a> Center](<a href=“http://ferguson.ua.edu/]Ferguson”>http://ferguson.ua.edu/)
<a href=“http://ferguson.ua.edu/images/schedule.jpg[/url]”>http://ferguson.ua.edu/images/schedule.jpg&lt;/a&gt;
[Ferguson</a> Center](<a href=“http://ferguson.ua.edu/artgallery.cfm]Ferguson”>http://ferguson.ua.edu/artgallery.cfm)</p>

3

<p>There are many events that go on, you just have to read the newsletters and UA’s main page to keep up. Events happen all over campus, not just at the Ferg. Just this month there are art exhibits, museum events, lectures, movies, open mic nights, and many more scheduled happenings. Is your student aware of this page:
[Events</a> Calendar - The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://events.ua.edu/events/]Events”>Events Calendar - The University of Alabama)</p>

<p>This is the events calendar, you can filter by category, day, week or month.</p>

4

<p>Does anyone know if the Honors College Assembly still hosts those “open mic” get-togethers? </p>

<p>There are many weekend activies ranging from theatre productions, music productions and movies. Has your son been looking at the calendar?</p>

5

<p>Yep…they just had one. They posted pics on their Honors College Facebook Page.</p>

<p>My son participates very little in these on-campus activities. I expect my daughter (if she attends UA) will be at every event. Different personalities.</p>

6

<p>Movies are often shown in the Ferg Theater at 8PM Sunday, but the number of people attending varies widely. When I watched Hotel Rwanda there a couple years ago, only 15 people were there. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago and there weren’t enough seats for everyone who wanted to see The Perks of Being a Wallflower.</p>

<p>Keep in mind too that based on students’ schedules and the hours that the Ferg is open, evens could only feasibly held between 1:00 PM and 10:00 PM on weekends. A lot of clubs have Sunday meetings and students have homework, which reduces the amount of people with free time on Sundays to go to an event hosted by the Ferg.</p>

7

<p>Too bad the Ferg isn’t open until midnight on Friday and Saturday night - I think if they had the movies then (perhaps at 7:00 and 9:00), more students would probably come. Thanks for the event link…my son is probably aware of what is offered, but I wasn’t. (He isn’t very forthcoming on his activities.) This will keep me informed on what is happening. Thanks again for the responses.</p>

8

<p>^^ Your son probably gets emails/newsletters about activities as well.</p>

9

<p>It would be nice if the Starbucks at the Ferg was open late night, or even, on weekends, all night.</p>