'Ice Cream Social' - a uncomplicated pleasure of residential living

On wednesday night, from 8 to 9 p.m., we had an ‘ice cream social’ in Anderson Hall. The Resident Director’s  goal was uncomplicated - to have fun and encourage residents in our large and somewhat sterile building to connect with  residents who live on other floors. 

We handed out chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream on the first floor.  When residents left our lounge, brightly colored posters  directed them to other floors where toppings were available.  There was chocolate sauce served on one floor, strawberry on another, butterscotch on another, chocolate sprinkles on another, gummy bears on another - and so forth.  Dormgrandpop, Anderson’s Resident Director, the South Side Area Director, and a couple of other staff scooped and served vigorously, while briefly chatting with a never-ending line of young men and women for more than an hour.  Our delighted residents, more than 250 of them filled their bowls, thanked us,  and headed off to see what other floors had to offer.  Gallons and gallons of ice cream were consumed.   

If distance education were the only mode of instruction, residential living experiences such as this - and many more - would be lost.

A good time was had by all.