Nothing excites college students more than the promise of free food, and the University Program Board (UPB) planned accordingly. The UPBack to School Bash—held on Friday, Sept. 1 at East Bell Commons—was a campus-wide celebration welcoming incoming and returning students alike back to Case Western Reserve University and encouraging them to see the campus and its community outside of classes. The event featured delicious food options and numerous activities, including trampoline bungee jumping, DIY tote bags, a video game truck, cornhole, carnival games and giveaways for plushies, blankets and an iPad.
Starting off with, of course, the food, I was delighted by the range and variety of choices provided by UPB. Being off the meal plan for the first time, I have been jumping at every mention of free food, and as always, UPB pulled through. I was given three tickets—one for dessert, one for food and one for a drink. I tried the most amazing ube mochi donut from Mochinut, a dessert place in Westlake, and perfectly squishy shrimp and tofu summer rolls from Superior Pho. The food was by far the best part of the event—naturally, it was what I came for—but the options exceeded even my high expectations. As one student commented, there were “a variety of things you can’t usually try because they’re not accessible, especially for freshmen who don’t have reliable means of transportation beyond campus.” Catering from places such as Condado Tacos and Cocky’s Bagels was especially considerate, as the nearest locations are quite far from campus, even by Greater Cleveland Rapid Transit Authority (RTA). And luckily, even if you happened to run out of food tickets at the event, several UPB volunteers were handing out generous portions of popcorn throughout the event.
When asked what their favorite parts of the bash were, each student had a different answer.
Seeing peers from STEM classes paint their own tote bags and exercise their creativity was exciting to one student, as they got to see their classmates in a different light. Another student also loved designing her tote bag, especially after watching her friends show off their own creations with pride. One student said that the bash was “by far the best event ever held at East Bell Commons.” A few people commented on DJ Shaughn’s remixes and hits throughout the day as a great build-up to the lead performer, Nicky Youre. Unfortunately, I was unable to stay for his performance, but I was not too torn, considering I only knew parts of his most famous song, “Sunroof,” from TikTok.
All in all, the UPBack to School Bash was a great way to spend a summer evening. I have been in Cleveland the entire summer and enjoyed the city’s beauty when CWRU’s campus was emptier. I have basked in the summer air, rejoiced in the uncrowded crosswalks and savored the quiet walks. Some part of me did not want to see everyone again, because that would mean summer was almost over. But ironically, seeing the campus brought back together, enjoying music and laughing over silly carnival games was actually the perfect start to the school year, and makes me hopeful for what’s to come.
