To initiate the new season, Student Activities hosted an event called the Autumn Kickoff on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at the Student Union.
The room was decked out with tables offering apple cider and donuts. While some donuts were glazed, others were fall-themed, with chocolate frosting and yellow, orange and brown sprinkles.
Moeez Khawja, a seventh-semester analytics and information management major who works as a student employee in Student Activities, said the Autumn Kickoff is meant to give students an opportunity to take a break from schoolwork and relax.
“I know exams are coming up for some people, and classes have been going on for a few weeks; so, this event allows them to get together during a time where they can forget about academics for a little bit and do a little bit of self-care, whether that’s by painting or by enjoying themselves with a donut or cider,” Khawja said.
Besides donuts and apple cider, white 8-by-8-inch tote bags were provided for decorating. The tote bags were designed differently, some with leaves, acorns, pumpkins and sunflowers or a collage of multiple patterns.
To decorate the tote bags, students were provided with paint and paintbrushes. Color options for painting included a variety of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, brown, black, cyan, gray and lavender.
Khawja mentioned that the Autumn Kickoff is one of Student Activities’ newer events. He said that Student Activities has held tote bag painting events in the past, but not one specifically tailored to the season.
Vaishakhi Moningi, a ninth-semester physics doctorate student, said the event was great and that it fit her interests.
“I like going to events where it has something creative, so this was perfect for me,” Moningi said.
At the beginning of the event, students filled the room. The door was clogged with attendees waiting to grab supplies and a snack. Calming music played while attendees chatted with one another and worked on their bags.
The event was a hit. Tote bags and donuts were gone about 30 minutes after the kickoff began.
Hiral Choksi, a third-semester master’s student in computer science and engineering, said the Autumn Kickoff was very chill and serene.
“It was relaxing, especially after work,” Choksi said. “I really like painting, and it was soothing with the music and my friend.”
Allie Visbee, a first-semester molecular and cell biology student, said the event was enjoyable.
“I had a lot of fun with it,” Visbee said. “It was kind of a spontaneous little thing where my friend saw the ad on Instagram, and we were like, ‘this would be a fun way to relax after classes and do fun little painting activities.’”