Ever since most school districts in El Paso adopted a year-round schedule, university students felt like they had an extra special summer, one where they don’t have to worry about packed pools or arcades.
But at last, those extra weeks in August have come to an end.
To boost morale, universities have begun holding social events such as fairs, hangouts, and concerts for students attending said institution.
UTEP has followed suit, but where the Miners separate themselves from the pact is when reaching the catering point. Unlike much of the UT system, El Paso’s premier education destination must put much of its focus on students who live off campus thanks to student living circumstances and geographic location. Commuting can be as simple as 30 minutes, or, for a group of over 1200 students, getting to school requires crossing an international border.
So, when organizing the sixth event of UTEP’s Miner Welcome week, Director of Recreational Sports Antuan Washington made sure to go the extra mile when pushing out “Late Night at the Rec”, which was hosted at UTEP’s Recreation Center or the Rec, to all miners.
“We have it on the UTEP Today TV, we also share it on our website, our social media, our Instagram. We try to open to the entire UTEP population,” Washington said.
It’s safe to say that the department is full of experts on quality and diverse entertainment.
But after coordinating the event for three years, Washington gives insight into what attracts UTEP students the most.
“Since we cover our climbing gym, it’s limited as far as how many participants can come, so usually you always see a long line of those waiting to go to the climbing gym since it’s glow in the dark. That and the archery we do on the main floor are some of the bigger attractions,” Washington said.
This year, UTEP saw a new addition to the yearly event. Recently the Miner’s ESports team moved on down to the Rec center, and knowing the foot traffic, the organization pressed start unto launching their booth.
“It was the easiest decision that we had to make,” said Juan Jose Ochoa Jr, president of the ESports “Honey Badgers” club at UTEP. “Being able to advertise our club but also show UTEP that they have something huge under their nose, it’s fantastic. When we were offered a place to show it off at Late Night at the Rec, we were like, let’s do it.”
Washington has grown familiar with the social power that Late Night at the Rec holds, recognizing that it’s a strong path towards solidifying powerful bonds.
“I’m sure a lot of friendships are built during this time, so those students who may not know who to go to the gym with, they can meet someone and have a new friend.” Washington said.
For students like incoming freshman Victor Daniel Avalos, social events like these couldn’t be more important.
“I feel like it’s great, I get to meet a lot of incoming freshmen. We’re all trying to make friends around here, the social aspect is awesome,” Avalos said.
Students may have different ways to get to campus, but that doesn’t change the fact that we’re all Miners. What can alter that perception, however, is an unwillingness to get out there.
So, whether big or small, we should all take some time and get together.
Sebastian Perez-Navarro is a staff reporter for The Prospector and can be reached at [email protected]
