Final Project Proposal

"Making Memories at Maryland" by Michelle Chan

The University of Maryland, College Park Student Government Association doesn’t have enough to do. Charged with passing legislation funding and organizing programming for the student body, as well as advocating student interests to the administration, the SGA will coordinate the annual Crab Fest yet again this year. On October 22, tens of thousands of dollars in university and SGA funds and donations will come together in Cole Field House for a feast celebrating all things crab and buffet.

This story will cover the organization of the event, which is currently underway, as well as talks with SGA Programming and Traditions Department Chair, Elizabeth Ding, before and after the event to go over its successes, struggles and history. Interviews will also be done with the department members, department secretary Dave Nelson, SGA Vice President of Finance, Andrew Steinberg and SGA President, Steve Glickman. The story will also touch on the process that the Programming and Traditions department undergoes when planning an event. It may also touch on other events, such as the annual Haunted House in Stamp Student Union, Spring Barbeque and Wild and Crazy Terps Day. Images and film footage from events such as the Crab Fest, Homecoming Parade and Haunted House may accompany this story. Audio interviews with important interviewees is important to get the gist of how the events and planning take place, while film and photography of the events themselves will be important to add to the translation of atmosphere. There will be no travel costs.

These traditions are an integral part of what makes the university experience for many students on campus at the University of Maryland, College Park. Therefore, for students, this story will be an interesting look at the history of their educational institution, the planning process, and possibly even ways to get involved.

Some of the issues that may be addressed in this story will be the difficulty in funding events like Crab Fest due to SGA funding restrictions, the student body’s perception of the SGA and the difficulty in organizing such a diverse group of students to one event that struggles to deal with environmental sustainability when serving a large group of students food, dietary restrictions that many students have (Kosher, vegetarian, vegan), and clean-up management.

Since the event occurs very soon, I would need to talk to the SGA very soon, but that will not be a problem, as they hold office hours every day with someone in the office and I have the contact information to the necessary interviewees. In addition, coverage of meetings held on Mondays at 8 pm will be important to attend. I foresee this airing in early November following three of the largest SGA Programming and Traditions Department events, such as Homecoming Parade (Oct. 17), Crab Fest (Oct. 22), and Haunted House (Oct. 28, 29).