UCCS’ Student Life Department hopes to create a sense of unity at the end of dead week by hosting the first ever Mountain Lion Mania, a carnival-themed event with free fair food and activities. This end-of-the-semester celebration will be on Friday, May 6 from 7-9 p.m.in the University Center.
Stephen Cucchiara, the director of student engagement, said that all UCCS students are welcome to attend and enjoy the free food, games and giveaways. The activities will range from tarot cards and palm readings to tie-dying in the Student Life Lounge.
Cucchiara noted that students can expect Mountain Lion Mania to have a similar structure to UCCS’ Premiere Night during Roar Daze. Students also have the option of a bonus event called Free Money Game Show to look forward to following the main event.
According to Mountain Lion Connect, participants can win free money by answering pop-culture trivia questions and getting the highest amount correct. “That game show is a variety game show, so you’ll see a variety of different games that you’ll see in normal game shows,” Cucchiara said.
This event was inspired by the University Center staff, who want to show appreciation for a school year of hard work. It will serve as an opportunity for students to rest and engage in a night of free enjoyment before finals week.
“It provides a wellness component where students can get away from the academic realm and let loose a little bit,” Cucchiara said.
The Student Life Department believes this carnival will display their mission on campus. “We make it a point not to program during finals week, but the week prior is really important for us to continue our mission in building community so that students feel like they belong,” Cucchiara said.
Much of this sense of community will come from the collaboration between different organizations throughout the University Center.
Cucchiara listed the T. Rowe Price Career and Innovation Center, Ent Credit Union and UCCS Radio as some of the organizations contributing to Mountain Lion Mania. Student Life wants attendees to get acquainted with the services available on campus in a fun way.
Haley Russ, coordinator of student activities, mentioned that Mountain Lion Mania will close out a series of events occurring throughout Dead Week. She is looking forward to it the most out of the week’s events. “I think it’s a way to kind of usher in summer and just kind of bring in a nice bookend to the semester and the year,” she said.
For more information about Mountain Lion Mania and Free Money Game Show, students can find these events on Mountain Lion Connect or @UCCS_Students on Instagram and Twitter.