Rag week proposed for BCFE

The Student Union in BCFE plan to bolster student spirit around campus by launching the college’s first rag week in almost three years. Festivities are due to commence on Monday April 9 and will run until Thursday April 12.

The four day of events will include live music, an International Students’ Day, quizzes and speed dating.

Head of the Student Union, Jenny Little, hopes the event will “create a buzz around the place”, as well as “trying to get everybody to know each other.”

The rag week will coincide with other events taking place in the college; students from second year in the music management course will be show-casing their acts in the college’s multi-purpose hall, providing live music for the week.

The week will also celebrate ethnic diversity amongst students in Ireland as there will be participation in International Students’ Day. Little promises an array of activities for this: “There will be all types of food, music and games.”

There are plans for a number of themed quizzes, according to Little, they have “proved great in the past, we hope to draw people with quizzes ranging from Family Guy and the Simpsons to sport.”
For all the single students there is also talk amongst the union about a round of speed dating.

As the end of the academic year beckons Little hopes the rag week will strengthen spirit in students that will return to the college in September and give those leaving a pleasant bon voyage from BCFE.
“I hope it will get people together and for those not coming back they can go out with a bang.”

With regards to funding the week Little seems to be confident. “We have a students’ union fund and in the past we have also gotten funding and sponsorship from local businesses.”

She also has plans to use college monitors, posters and announcements to raise student awareness about the rag week. The union says the week has the full backing of the college’s management. “Jacinta O’Keefe, the student liaison officer, has offered to help us as much as possible”.

She is also confident in student participation for the week: “We’re going to put it right in front of people, they don’t have to take part in everything but it's going to be a lot of fun and a proper laugh”.
Little is adamant that the organisation of the rag week is not exclusive to students’ union and welcomes student input, saying “Anybody who wants to help out or has ideas would be great.”

- Tom Rooney