Many things have changed across the nation due to coronavirus, and events held on college campuses are no exception.
With homecoming canceled this fall, Florida A&M University’s Student Government Association has been working with the Efferson Student Union to help provide an experience for students. The two will be partnering together to bring the campus a drive-in movie event for FAMU’s anniversary.
“I’m so excited to give people hope by giving them something to look forward to,” said SGA Vice President Carrington Whigham.
Members of SGA collaborated on this idea to try to figure out a way to create an event that would be safe and fun, but still fit the guidelines given by the university and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
The event will be on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in the north end tailgating zone at Bragg Memorial Stadium. The area will open to moviegoers at 7 PM, with the movie scheduled to begin at 8 PM.
Ariel Payne, a political science student, said “I am truly excited about this event! I believe it will be fun to see everyone while maintaining social distance.”
Payne believes SGA has done an amazing job at finding creative events for students to participate in and thinks they have done their best to create a good student experience despite the current climate COVID-19 has created.
A survey was sent out through iStrike to allow students to vote on what they want to watch. “Black Panther” was voted as the movie of choice, with the other options being “School Daze” and “Love and Basketball.”
Amiya Bowers, a sophomore at FAMU, plans on going to the drive-in movie with her roommate and other friends. She and her friends are most excited about getting snacks and making their car cozy with pillows and blankets.
“I think this should be a new homecoming tradition and once we get through the pandemic, we can expand the event,” said Bowers.
According to Whigham, there will be a limit of 200 cars, as mandated by the Director of Health Services Tonya Tatum, and carpooling is suggested.
There will be popcorn served at the event and a possibility of fireworks as a tradition of celebrating the university’s anniversary, however, this is not yet guaranteed.
Masks are required to be worn outside of cars and you must have a vehicle to attend. If you have any questions, you can contact Vice President Carrington Whigham by email at carrington1.whigham@famu.edu.