By snoadmin
The University Student Union Program Council kicked off its “Week of Relationships,” with speed-dating on Dec. 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the USU ballrooms.
More than 50 young men and women, dressed in their best attire, waited anxiously outside the doors of the USU ballroom, nervous and eager to step into the first rounds of the hit-and-miss mini-courtships.
“I’m really busy and usually don’t have time to date, so something like this is definitely more efficient for me,” said Alexander Truong, a junior business marketing major.
There was an obvious anxiousness in the crowd of participants – who sat with men together at one side and the women at the other like a middle school cafeteria – until the doors finally opened and everyone took their seats.
The host of the night was Alex Silva, program council assistant, with his co-host Deirdra Montgomery, program consultant. Silva and Montgomery explained the goals of the event: to learn how to interact with people and to create an environment for a potential relationship and an easier way to date.
The rules of the game were as follows: Each couple gets three minutes to converse (some sample questions were provided). Both male and female would fill out confidential scorecards for each person they meet. After three minutes are up, the boys move counter-clockwise around a circle of tables that took over the entire ballroom, while the girls remained seated.
Many of those in attendance explained they usually chat online or go on MySpace to meet people but had never attended a social event like this.
“This is the first time I’m doing this, but I’ve seen it on TV and it looks exciting,” said Reeny Wang, a junior pre-interior architecture major. “Thin-slicing at its finest.”
The participants were all smiles as they ate, drank and got to know each other in those few minutes.
“It’s nice to see a social event that doesn’t require being a part of a club or an organization,” said Mitch Lemos, a junior film major. “It’s just people trying to meet people, something this school needs more of.”
Some hit it off. Others weren’t so lucky.
“I didn’t meet anyone that I would follow up with, but it was interesting and I want to bring more of my friends next time,” said Monica Villarruel, a senior Chicano/Latino studies major.
Couples who hit it off in their three minutes found each other again after the event was over and took advantage of the 15 minutes they had to wait to discover the “king and queen of speed dating,” aka the most desired male and female participant.
Two couples even began to swing dance to the tunes of “Mambo No. 5.” William Morgan was named speed-dating king alongside Meredith Green as the speed-dating queen.
“This was a great experience. They just need to promote this to the volleyball girls, dance team and cheerleading team,” said Antonio Alonzo, a senior business marketing major.
Silva and Montgomery said they were extremely pleased with the outcome of the event they had worked on for over two months. “It’s cool to see the event come together and judging by the turnout, we think we will have one next semester.”
The Program Council’s “Week of Relationships” continues with a viewing of “Hitch” on Dec. 5 and Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
As part of its speaker series and Week of Relationships, the Program Council is bringing in David Coleman, a nationally known “Dating Doctor,” to speak on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. in the USU ballrooms.
Coleman will give a presentation on making relationships work, followed by a question and answer session and a book signing for students.
