This year’s Under The Tent poster was designed by Aya Nukina, GSB ’18, featuring artwork by Regina Kendrick, FCRH ’17. (Courtesy of RHA).
By Erin Shanahan
The Residence Halls Association (RHA) has released this year’s theme for Under the Tent: “Caught in the Cosmos.” Under the Tent will take place the Saturday night of Spring Weekend, April 30, beginning at 9 p.m.
According to RHA Executive Programer, Haley Hauge, GSB ‘18, this theme is “simplistic but edgy,” “ultramodern” and “future sleek.”
This year’s theme was inspired by a recommendation RHA received from the survey sent out at the start of the semester.
According to Hauge, RHA received an overwhelming amount of suggestions related to space, Star Wars and the future. Several different themes were proposed to the RHA general board, however, “Caught in the Cosmos” received overwhelming support.
“We worked really hard to incorporate the vision of other Fordham students and I think this theme blends our own vision with that of our peers,” said Timothy Bouffard, FCRH ‘16, “We’ve come a long way from a simple suggestion on the survey four months ago by taking Under the Tent in a completely different direction, focusing more on the color schemes and lighting and the effect that they can have.”
RHA released a promo video. The video depicts Fordham students preparing for a night out in polished, fun outfits. The video is set to Daft Punk’s song “One More Time.”
The poster for the event portrays Keating Hall in a blue outline sketch among the stars. Created by RHA Publicity Director Aya Nukina, GSB ’18, this graphic showcases a sketch of Keating, originally illustrated by Regina Kendrick, FCRH ’17. “We are grateful Regina allowed us to use her illustration as it fit Aya’s vision perfectly,” said Hauge.
According to Hauge, Nukina drew much of her inspiration from TRON and other futuristic designs. “I am so happy RHA was able to carry out the tradition of having Keating in the poster which was definitely a challenge with an ultramodern theme like this,” said Hauge.
What to Wear:
Students are encouraged to wear semi-formal to formal dress. According to Hauge, fun silhouettes and cutouts are encouraged as well as whites, blues, purples, metallic, and greys, black colors to match the scheme.
“I would say what people wear to this is going to contribute to the décor in a sense as well this year,” said Hauge.
Hauge described her dress for the evening as as a midi length, asymmetrical, white dress with a unique neckline and white mesh at the bottom.
“Overall, I think it is most important people understand the goal is to look ‘sleek’,” Hauge said, “I think that is how we have explained every aspect of the dance in our own discussions.”
What’s Under This Year’s Tent:
This year’s tent will focus on lighting as well as the ceiling of the tent.
“While the walls and table centerpieces are important, the ceiling is what you really see in the tent most of the night,” said Hauge. According to Hauge, the other décor goes mostly unnoticed when the tent gets crowded.
How to Get Your Ticket:
Tickets for Under the Tent will go on sale Wednesday, April 20 at noon in McGinley Lobby and will be sold until 5 p.m. or until the amount of tickets sells out.
The ticket cost $25. Students must bring a valid Fordham ID to purchase a ticket.
“We know a lot of people were interested in online ticket sales, but unfortunately that wasn’t feasible for this year,” Hauge said.
According to Hauge, many Fordham students voiced in the survey sent out at the beginning of the semester that they were unable to attend ticket sales due to internships or work on Wednesdays. “We really want to stress that you do not have to be present to buy a ticket,” Hauge said.
On the day of ticket sales, every student is allowed to buy up to 4 tickets. This includes one for the buyer as well as 3 additional tickets upon presenting a photo of the students’ Fordham IDs.
According to Hauge, RHA is still working to make ticket sales run more smoothly.
“This year’s theme is all about trying new things and breaking out of your comfort zone,” Hauge said. “I think it is very unique and different from anything RHA or Fordham has done in the past and I really hope that people are going to appreciate that.”
