Background
The College of Arts and Sciences is home to 23 Majors and minors, making it the biggest college, of all the 13 colleges in Howard University. In addition to creating events that cater to the entire COAS population as a whole, we must focus on providing different programs and opportunities that specifically cater to every single major and minor to improve student engagement and representation.
The events listed below are IDEAS by The Janella Way with the intention of the successful completion of these projects. With that being said, despite this goal, these events are not promised and not guaranteed. Although, through Janella’s Administration, these ideas may come to life.
The scope and creativity of the different events listed is evidence of the time and effort spent into research & brainstorming for the betterment of the COAS Freshman experience.
In addition to the different events listed, The Janella Way seeks to create programs and events for all majors that involve an improved connection between alumni, local professionals and BIG Bisons to provide guidance and advice for their freshmen BISON. In addition, we desire to increase the number of mentorship, tutoring, scholarship and internship opportunities for students across their different majors.
DO NOT misunderstand these event ideas as promises that are guaranteed to come true once elected. These are project proposals only.
DO NOT misunderstand these ideas to be the only events that we would work to provide for the students once Janella is elected president. Through The Janella Way, we emphasize the importance of listening to the students’ concerns and bringing their ideas to life as well as ours, as a collaboration between COAS freshmen and their elected freshmen leaders.
DO NOT misunderstand the number of ideas listed per major as a ranking of their importance or relevance.
Major-centered ideas
Purpose:
To enhance the talents, skills and knowledge of every student in their respective fields.
Aerospace/Airforce
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Aerospace exhibitions/galleries intended to showcase the different talents and skills of the students within the aerospace major/minor
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Airshows intended for the enjoyment and the increase of students’ knowledges in different the different aircrafts taught within their classes
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Air force Seminars where local air force members are invited to speak to the students of the realities of the military, their lives and experiences as air force members, as well as anything the students may want guidance or information about
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Student showcase of their own respective crafts
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Space museum travels
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Air Force Cadet Day intended to mimic obstacle courses that Air Force trainees undergo through with the guidance and assistance of local Air Force members
African Studies
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Partnership events with the different African student clubs and organizations to create informational programs such as simplified study guides for non-majors to learn more about African studies, with the intention of practicing the students’ knowledge and information of their own major
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Collaboration with schools and organizations directly from Africa and creating partnerships with the intention of philanthropy and servitude
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Celebration of different African festivals to inform local students of the beauty and culture of Africa
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African studies Seminars and Conferences
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Open house mixer intended to promote the African studies community and connect them with their peers through the showcase of their major
Afro-American Studies
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Afro-American trivia days intended to increase the knowledge of students on Afro-American studies
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Afro-American Movie Nights with the purpose of informing students behind the true stories that historically inspired the movies’ creations
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AAS Family feud
Army
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BISON Military Appreciation Day filled with events that honor Howard military alumni, students whose parents are in the military/veterans and that celebrate students whose plan is to join the military
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ARMY Week during Military Appreciation wherein local ARMY members would be invited to serve the purpose of informing and interacting with the students to provide them with guidance and assistance of experts in the field.
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ARMY Cadet day
Art
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BISON Museum intended to showcase the original works of BISON artists
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Art Auctions wherein voluntary students are encouraged to donate their artworks and auction it off to a charity/cause
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Mural Painting
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The creation of a COAS Garden
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A Collaboration day in the format of a fair wherein students of different artistic skills and talents may mingle and interact with their peers and collaborate on a project of their choosing
Biology
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Career explorations in Health, Medicine and Biology
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Biology-based competitions intended to challenge the knowledge of Biology majors in a lightly competitive atmosphere that showcases their abilities
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Quiz Bees
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Seminars led by local doctors of different fields to inform and educate students who are on the pre-med track
Chemistry
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Science fair competition wherein chemistry majors can showcase their own formulas and projects as supervised by their professors
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Seminars and Conferences led by local professionals with a degree in chemistry
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A color-fire show led by chemistry majors to showcase their knowledge on different chemicals and the reactions they create
Classics
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GEOGRAPHY day
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United Nations Day event wherein students of different cultures and countries may set up a booth representing their countries with the intention of showcasing the diversity of our campus and encouraging students to be knowledgeable and respectful of these different cultures
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CULTURE WEEK
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Mythology mondays led by Classics majors that showcase their knowledge of mythology, incorporating different mythological facts into fun and informational events
Economics
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TAX Day wherein students are taught how to do their taxes
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Financial literacy day
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BISON Radio podcast
English
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BISON Writers page to promote the original works of different BISON authors
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An annual BISON BEST competition wherein students can submit their original works in different genres of writing for a chance to become a published author with their winning piece through the assistance and support of the school
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POEM of the week/literature of the week dedication posts on social media to promote different literary BISON talents
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No Hablo Ingles–a no english speaking event that promotes the usage of different native languages as a fun way to interact with multilingual students and a chance to connect with those who speak the same language
Health, Human Performance & Leisure Studies
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Howard’s Anatomy–a spin-off event inspired by the show ‘Grey’s anatomy’ wherein students are given mock health emergencies that they have to successfully complete that tests their knowledge and skills
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An internship opportunity that allows a group of students to shadow hospital members for a day
History
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DC History trip
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Museum tours and history guide
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BISON History Month/HOWARD history month wherein the entire month of MARCH is dedicated to daily howard facts, mini fairs and different events to educate BISONS of all classifications of their school’s history and legacy
Interdisciplinary Studies
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Research opportunities that provide the best researcher with an internship
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The invitation of different local professors in interdisciplinary studies to provide guidance to students through a seminar or conference
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Starting a global petitions group dedicated to researching different international affairs and how we can help promote knowledge of the issues and resources that may aid in the solution of them
Mathematics
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A Math fair
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A math centered ‘Minute to win it’ event
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MATH DAY event that challenges students to solve a math problem in order to win different prizes
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Tutoring opportunities for math majors to help non-math majors
Music
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ARTIST OF THE MONTH social media promotion to support aspiring musicians in the BISON community
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Live performance opportunities for aspiring musicians in different events such as a BISON COACHELLA wherein students will be given the opportunity to audition for a chance to perform their original songs in front of the student body in a concert-like setting at the yard
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Inviting willing, local producers to come to HOWARD to provide guidance for those who aspire to be in the music industry
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Mentorship opportunities from different local musicians
Philosophy
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“If you could start your own school of thought, what would it be?” Event for philosophy majors to be given a chance to think outside of what they are taught
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Philosophical seminars
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Conversations at the Mecca day event wherein students can have open, intellectual discussions about the different issues that are important to them and what we can do as a community to solve these problems
Physics & Astronomy
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Astronomy gallery visits
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BISON Night at the yard wherein students will be provided with the proper equipment needed to stargaze
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Physics Fair wherein students can showcase their different crafts and inventions
Political Science
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Collaboration with the different debate and mock trial teams at HOWARD to create the ultimate mock supreme court trial opportunity for aspiring students
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Inviting local politicians for a seminar
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Public policy practice day wherein students are taught about the processes required to create a public policy
Psychology
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Therapy techniques wherein psychology students may offer free therapy to their peers in need
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Inviting different professionals in the field of psychology to talk about their lives, experiences and careers in psychology to expand the knowledge of psychology majors on the different opportunities available to them after they graduate
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Volunteering in mental health care facilities
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Fundraising for different mental health organizations
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Brain awareness week
Sociology & Criminology
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Expert seminars wherein local experts in the field are invited to speak about a topic of their choice and accept questions from students in regards to their field and profession
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BISON minds day event inspired by the show Criminal Minds that offer mock challenges to students who are interested
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Student mixers
Theatre Arts
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An opportunity for aspiring students to submit proposals for a film and the chosen one would be provided a budget to create their original short film
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Movie premiere at the yard that showcases the different films and videos created by the students
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End of the year production play
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Acting classes
Women's, Gender & Sexualities Studies
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Informational events on the different genders and sexualities as a way to raise awareness and respect for the LGBTQIA+
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Different awareness infographics and respectful guidelines posted over social media about LGBTQIA+ issues
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BISON PRIDE consisting of a pride parade, a drag show, etc. to promote love and acceptance for all
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Women’s rights petitions
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The creation of queer support groups
World Languages and Cultures
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WORLD Day
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Opportunities to contact and collaborate with different schools from across the globe to create partnerships and provide servitude
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World Language tournaments
Winter and Holiday drives
Food donation drives for the local community
Donation drives for youth in foster care
Volunteering opportunities in homeless
shelters, adoption centers, mental health care facilities, soup kitchens, local churches, senior centers, animal shelters, etc.
An open closet
Summer reading program for kids in the
community
Voluntary tutoring programs for kids in the community
Blood drives
Color run for a cause
Community service events
Purpose:
To encourage students to serve their community and involve themselves in philanthropy.
General event & program ideas
Purpose:
To provide COAS students and BISONs as a whole with different resources to aid their livelihood in the MECCA.
COAS Student Website
The creation of a COAS Student Website with anything and everything COAS as a one-stop-shop for information regarding all COAS events, programs, opportunities, etc. In addition, it would include a freshman survival guide, infographics on different local and international issues and affairs, such as different resources such as mental health, LGBTQIA+, opportunities, etc.
COAS Open Forum
The creation of Bi-monthly COAS meetings wherein COAS Students can attend and express their ideas and/or concerns to their elected COAS officials.
Freshmen Council Open Archive
The creation of an open archive for freshmen council with a masterlist of all proposed events, achievements and issues faced throughout the year as a reference for future councils.
Direct Inquiry Line
The creation of a Direct Inquiry Line via google forms where COAS Students can send their direct questions about anything COAS related, as well as the creation of a COAS Remind with updates of all the COAS events directly to students.
Free-to-borrow student essentials
I would like to advocate for free bikes, scooters and umbrellas that students can borrow and return when needed for those who cannot afford to buy or rent one themselves.
Caring for the environment
I strive to make the school more eco-friendly by having student recycling days at the end of the month and by advocating for the replacement of trash bins to separate biodegradable from non-biodegradable trash all over campus.
COAS Bigs and littles
The creation of COAS Bigs and Littles wherein a freshman COAS bison in need of guidance can be partnered with a volunteering upperclassmen COAS bison to create a big-little relationship that provides baby bisons with the support, guidance and mentorship that they need from a more knowledgeable peer.
COAS Auction Gala
The creation of an annual COAS Gala with a gallery auction with the proceeds to be donated to a charity of choice.
Hydration Tents
The creation of Hydration Tents around campus to help alleviate students of the struggles of DC Weather.
Designated de-stress days
Designated De-stress days and events dedicated into improving the mental health of students such as: massage days, meditation classes, pet therapy day, adult coloring books, murder mystery game night, etc.
Bigger issues
Issues that are bigger than freshman council that my administration would like to advocate for:
The WIFI issues
The lack of 24-Hour Study Rooms
Housing issues
Scholarships and Financial aid
Cafeteria hours and MENU
Staff transparency & communication
COVID Testing hours