University Program Board
The University Program Board is comprised of five committees (Spotlight Sounds, Center Stage, Film, Spirits and Traditions, and Special Events). As a marketing chair and director of Spotlight Sounds and a committee member in Center Stage, I’ve accrued some materials and projects from my time with the organization.
University Program Board
The University Program Board is a part of University Unions at James Madison University. Also known as UPB, the program board is comprised of five committees run by students, a faculty adviser and a graduate assistant. Each committee is lead by a program director and a set of chairs (marketing, finance, administration, etc.). These committees are responsible for programming events related to their committee’s mission that will benefit the student body. Committees include Film, Center Stage, Spirits and Traditions, Special Events, and Spotlight Sounds.
The executive board includes the five program directors plus the President, VP of Membership Development, VP of Marketing, VP of Programming, Public Relations Director, Creative Director, Finance Director, and Executive Assistant. The board meets weekly and the program directors hold their own weekly meetings as well. Per semester each committee programs about four events.
What Kind of Events Does UPB Do?
We’ve done things ranging from running movies in our own on-campus theatre Wednesdays through Saturdays, to bringing Third Eye Blind to our convocation center. We’re also highly involved in homecoming and Relay for Life.
Film: The film committee runs the theatre and occasionally brings in film writers or other film related speakers to talk to students.
Center Stage: Center Stage is responsible for large scale, musical acts. They’re held in either the Convocation Center or Wilson Hall. Acts vary from hip hop, rock, and dance genres.
Spirits and Traditions: This committee puts together Late Night Breakfast and Funny Frickin’ Fridays every month to give students something to do besides drink. Late Night Breakfast is a themed night where we bring in fun acts, activities, and creative breakfast foods. Funny Frickin Fridays is a night of comedy with rising talent.
Special Events: Special Events specializes in public speakers, comedians, and general talent. We’ve done programs like Aziz Ansari from Parks and Recreation, to a home-grown talent show called the Trashion Show, where designers create an outfit out of recycled things. Our first show was hosted by Project Runway winner, Jay McCarroll.
Spotlight Sounds: Spotlight Sounds provides the student body with musical performances from local and upcoming artists. We’ve hosted Rumble Down Under (a battle of the bands styled competition), and brought artists like the Tim Blane Band, Ace Enders, and Vince Scheuerman from Army of Me.
80 One Records Versus Spotlight Sounds
80 One Records was a committee created in 2003, but in the 2009-2010 academic year the committee became Spotlight Sounds. 80 One was one of the only student-run record labels in the country. We recorded one or two student artist/bands a year then promoted the band and sold their CDs.
When the committee started, the coordinator had a strong background in music industry and since he left and directors came and went, the knowledge to record and duplicate got lost. Along with the changing buying patterns from music fans, it was a challenge that a small committee didn’t have the resources to continue. Another reason for the change is that the University Program Board has a mission to reach out to as many students as possible and recording is a pricey process leaving little money to still benefit other students. Although we were giving 2-6 artists and about 20 committee members the opportunity and experience of a live time, there were still thousands of students who weren’t benefiting at all.
Today Spotlight Sounds strives to provide concerts and music related programming for the student body.
How Are You Involved?
I first joined UPB as a Center Stage and 80 One Records committee member. I engaged in discussions on which artists to bring and who we should sign to the label. I actively made banners, press releases, and promoted via word-0f-mouth.
The second semester of my sophomore year (and my first year in UPB), I stepped up to be the marketing chair for 80 One. I’d never received formal training, but I had experience making everything from the previous semester so delegating was the only major new task for me. Because of the time commitment, I had to drop Center Stage but I still assisted the big shows by putting together the stage, lights, working security, then taking everything apart.
Junior year I applied to be 80 One Records Director. As much as I hate to admit it, I didn’t immediately receive the position. A more experienced member got the position, but over the course of the summer he quit and I was called two days before I had to be at school for the fall. I accepted. Again, without any proper training, I successfully lead the committee through one of the most challenging transitions in UPB history. Looking at the transitions binder, you can see how much I learned and contributed.
Below is a link to some of the blog posts made to the UPB wordpress and the UPB official website:
