Kyra Barry
Connector Staff

With the return to campus at the tail end of UMass Lowell’s stint with completely virtual classes comes events hosted in UMass Lowell’s dorms.

Aside from having perks such as having their dorms paid for, residential advisors, aka RAs, are required to put on events for their residents. These events can be as varied as a game of Jackbox, to study sessions, to a night of painting and cocoa. On Thursday, Feb. 17, a cocoa and canvas night was thrown on the sixth floor of UMass Lowell’s Riverview Suites.

It had a high turnout, and all the canvases that were allocated for the event were used. Melany Nieves, a junior accounting major, said, “The actual event was amazing. I’m glad I went. I loved it.”

Ekla Zagler, a freshman nursing major, said, “I think that’s a great activity to do.” If given the opportunity to go to another such event, Zagler said she would. Nieves expressed a similar opinion, especially if hosted by the same RA.

This event was Nieves’ first and Zagler’s third. Prior to Thursday, Zagler had gone to two other events, including a movie night.

The ‘Cocoa and Canvases’ event’s popularity may have had some part in its craft element. Nieves and Zagler said they appreciated being able to make something and bring it back to their dorms after. Although this consensus may be influenced by the predilections of the students who attend such events.

When thinking of other events RAs can host that she might attend, Zagler suggested other crafty events. “Box of beads so people can make like friendship bracelets and give them to people or… origami night, I think a lot of people would go to that–at least ’cause of the people that I know they would like that.” Zagler said.

The act of making and creating an experience together with other students is not to be underrated for such events, especially given this is the first year back after UMass Lowell made all its available courses virtual, and measures are still in place that prevent completely unrestricted socialization.

The biggest lure for students appears to be the socialization aspect. Between going to a movie night where socialization isn’t as easy to do, and an event where there’s not one big thing people must focus on, students will choose the latter. Zagler said “I get to make more friends and be talkative and meet people who are living in the same building as me.”

Both students heard about the event through word of mouth, one from her roommates and the other from her RA who was running the event. Nieves said, “I don’t really go to these events… but when I met Nat I really liked her, and I mean canvas and paintings sounded fun.”

This indicates a strong connection to one of the perks of the events being socializing. ‘Cocoa and Canvases’ allowed for such opportunities and was also uniquely appealing to the students who attended.

“If my roommate didn’t ask me to go, I wouldn’t have known about it, and I probably would have just stayed home. And like not really done anything where I got to come out of my shell and meet new people. And you know chit chat with even my neighbors across from me, who I don’t talk to, so it’s a good opportunity to take advantage of I’d say, for everyone that lives in the building, ’cause it’s pretty fun.” Zagler said.