When clubs host events at Guilford, we usually see the same thing: the same small group of students showing up, a few new faces sprinkled in—and a lot of space.
For a campus that prides itself on community, it’s strange how many events feel underattended or unnoticed. The question isn’t only “Why don’t more people come?” but “What would it take to create events students truly want to attend?”
Visibility isn’t the only issue
Part of the problem is awareness. Students are flooded with information every day: flyers in Founders, Instagram posts from clubs, emails from What’s the G. With so many platforms, even the best-planned events get lost in the noise.
The issue isn’t that students don’t care—communication feels fragmented. Guilford doesn’t have one consistent place students rely on to know what’s happening and when.
A centralized event hub—like a shared Google Calendar or a Canvas-integrated schedule—could make a significant difference. Right now, you often have to be “in the loop” to know some events even exist.
Making information accessible wouldn’t just boost attendance; it would make campus life more inclusive.
Students want authenticity, not formality
Another reason events fall flat is that they don’t reflect what students actually want from their time outside class. When an event feels forced—or worse, like it’s checking a programming requirement—people notice immediately.
Events succeed when they match Guilford’s personality: creative, social, laid-back and community-centered.
Beats, Bites & Buys, Ultimate Frisbee’s Capture the Flag, and CAB’s Pumpkin Paint & Play worked because they offered something interactive and fun without pressure or pretense. No awkward icebreakers, no heavy agenda—just genuine community.
If more clubs adopted this model—participation instead of passive attendance—turnout would improve.
People want to create, laugh and talk, not just sit and listen. Even academic or service-based clubs can lean into this energy. Instead of a leadership panel, try a hands-on challenge. Instead of a lecture on sustainability, host a recycled art build.
Timing matters more than people realize
Many Guilford students balance jobs, athletics and off-campus commitments. Evening events at 7 or 8 p.m. make participation difficult for commuters and student workers.
Afternoon “drop-in” events or short activities between classes could reach far more people. A mid-day coffee chat or a 15-minute art break table on the Quad could engage students who otherwise can’t attend structured nighttime programs.
Connection over consumption
Free food helps—but it’s not enough. Guilford students don’t stay for donuts; they stay for community.
Meaningful interactions—not giveaways—are what turn a quick visit into a real connection.
Collaboration builds community
Events improve when clubs collaborate.
Joint programming blends audiences and signals that an event isn’t just for one niche group. A “Trivia for a Cause” night hosted by CAB and Bonner, or a “Recycled Art Night” by SSTEM and the Outdoors Club, would reach more students while strengthening relationships across organizations.
A successful event doesn’t always mean a packed room. Sometimes the real success is when students leave feeling more connected—to each other and to Guilford.
But with more authentic programming, better communication and increased collaboration, we might start seeing something new: events that actually bring the campus together.
