Last week, Siena College hosted its annual Commuter Appreciation Week from Monday, Sept. 20, until Saturday, Sept. 25. There was a wide variety of activities that students could participate in as a way to build the community: maintaining old friendships or forming new ones. The week started with the Commuter Student Association hosting a three-hour breakfast in the Sarazen Student Union Atrium. At breakfast, they supplied the students with egg sandwiches, fruit salad, donuts, coffee, juice and much more. While enjoying their delicious food, students could enter the social media giveaway that was happening throughout the week. This prize for winning the giveaway was a Santa Cruz street Cruzer, a popular skateboard among Siena students. The way to enter was simple and festive, all you had to do was go to the Siena Commuter’s Instagram page, tag two friends in the giveaway post, and reply with your favorite part of Autumn.
The next day of activities included a block party featuring intramural games at the Mission office. This took place from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Nigro Plaza. Before, during, or after socializing with friends at the block party you could grab a bite to eat from Michele’s Charcoal Pit. This food truck offered options ranging from burgers, chicken sandwiches, mac and cheese, hot dogs, and fries. There was also a giveaway being offered at this commuter event, the only difference being that there wasn’t a social media component: students had to enter in person to have the chance of winning a Siena-themed basket.
On Wednesday, there was a more ‘hands-on’ activity; in the Sarazen Student Union from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., “Hands Across Siena” took place. During this time, you could sign your name on a banner that will be hung in the student union as well as enjoying a tasty ice cream sundae, courtesy of Stewarts.
The following day was Record Painting Day. On Thursday, from 5 p.m. -7 p.m. in Nigro Plaza, the commuter association hosted the creative activity of thinking of your own idea to paint onto a record. After painting your masterpiece on the record, you could DM the Siena Commuter Instagram page a picture of your record painting. They then selected a number of paintings to put on their stories with a poll so viewers could pick which one was their favorite. Whoever won the polling contest became the new owner of a record player!
To celebrate the weekend, Friday held a variety of exciting events. At 4 p.m. on the Paddock, there was a blessing of the commuters and Franks with the Friars, a cookout with our resident Franciscans. Father Larry offered blessings for the commuters as well as items that were in their cars that students felt were significant. After the blessing, there were a lot of great conversations going on as well as hot dogs being served by the friars.
Last but not least, Saturday was movie day! The Commuter Student Association and Siena Night Life joined together to host a screening of Cars 2. This event was a relaxing end to the week for many. It was a good time to bring your friends together to watch a film in the Quad and enjoy the provided popcorn, of course!