By the time a student graduates from the University of Idaho, they will have participated in at least one event put on by the Student Alumni Relations Board (SArb), Trevor Kauer said.
Kauer, president of SArb, said many students don’t realize how much work the organization does behind the scenes.
“Students don’t understand quite the magnitude of what we do,” Kauer said. “Without SArb on campus, we would not have Moms’ or Dads’ Weekend, we wouldn’t have Vandal Walk, we wouldn’t have nearly the traditions that connect the campus,” he said.
Kauer said SArb has organized Dads’ Weekend for the last 25 years.
Kristina Godinez, Dads’ Weekend committee chair, said the event’s change of date from September to December presented some unique issues.
“We were worried because most of the people who usually do events during Dads’ Weekend cancelled,” she said.
One of the events SArb puts on for Dads’ Weekend this year is a beer tasting at the Best Western, Godinez said. She said while there is usually a beer tasting, this is the first time it’s ever been put on by SArb.
On top of the beer tasting, she said SArb will also have an information desk, hand out schedules, organize tailgating and host a brunch.
Kauer said plans for each event began last summer. He said a big challenge is getting a little bit of everything, so there’s something for everyone.
“We ask, ‘What do the dads find to be enjoyable?’” he said.
Godinez said some of her biggest challenges have been trying to organize the events, particularly the beer tasting event. She and others struggled to find a good place to host it. After contacting multiple locations, she said they finally decided on the Best Western.
Dads’ Weekend requires a lot of planning, and SArb works in conjunction with many other organizations on campus, Kauer said. One of these organizations is Communications and Marketing, who help advertise the event, he said.
“Because it’s a large scale event, making sure that marketing and promotions are out there so people know what is offered, is a huger part,” Kauer said.
Though SArb is both a university organization and a student organization, Kauer said they are the student face to university officials.
“Our students are the best of the best, you have to be a very high-achieving student to represent the student body well,” Kauer said.
SArb offers something for everyone, he said.
“We’re not just for the sports fans, or for people who are interested in video games, or whatever,” he said.
More than anything else, Kauer said SArb is responsible for fostering Vandal pride and uniting students and alumni.
“Vandal pride is what connects you back to your campus,” he said.
Carly Scott can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Idaho_Scotty