Tie-Dye Versity | Graphic by by Rose Taylor| The Wright State Guardian
On Thursday, Sept. 5, several Wright State University organizations came together to host an event where students could grab a bite to eat while they tie-dyed anything from hair ties to t-shirts, all completely free.
Accessibility
The event was started up by Residence Life, who went on to recruit the Latino Center, LGBTQA Center, Asian and Native American Center, Amigos Latinos and the Women’s Center.
Bobbie Szabo, Assistant Director of the Women’s Center, worked to promote this event alongside other staff.
“We were super pleased with the turnout,” Szabo said.
She went on to explain that they had students from all different identity groups come out and socialize, and how exciting this was for her and all of the other staff members, as this is their goal in organizing all events.
“We try our best to organize our programming with universal designs so that every single person can access it, versus having to provide accommodations for things,” Szabo explained.
Tables were set up offering the students all of the supplies that they could need for the event, along with information for students looking to join any of the communities present.
Empanadas were also handed out to students by the Latino Center, free of charge but full of tasty nutrients.
Relaxing atmosphere
With how overwhelming classes starting up can be, along with all the other responsibilities that students and staff members have, Tie Dye-Versity was intended, in part, to serve as a pause from all of life’s crazy stressors.
“The beginning of the school year is such an overwhelming yet exciting time, and students need the opportunity to take a brain break,” Szabo said.
Long lines formed the moment the tables for supplies were set up and open for students. Many people flooded into the tables and chairs that were provided, working on their crafts, while others simply enjoyed the free food.
Kat Sprowl, a junior elementary education major, came to the event with their service dog, Maaza.
“I like to tie-dye, I love the Cultural Identity Centers and they’re my comfort people,” Sprowl said.
They went on to explain how they first got involved and felt at home there, saying it all started when they were given a free pronoun button.
Sprowl also shared that they liked the opportunity to be creative. They grabbed a white scrunchie, a pencil pouch and all the materials to tie dye and then got to work twisting and tying the fabric and covering it with pigment.
“I get to do whatever I want with it,” Sprowl said. “In the end, it’s gonna make something pretty and cute that I can remember, and probably use even when I do student teaching.”
Networking
One of the many opportunities that attending events can bring is the opportunity to meet people within WSU who will be able to help you in your time here, or even long after.
“It was very cool to sort of introduce the students to one another while they were at the table,” Szabo said. “I think that one of my biggest duties in the Women’s Center is connecting students to other people. To other students, to campus resources and to staff and faculty that they should know. So it's a great opportunity to help build those relationships and connections.”
In addition to faculty, students were able to meet student leaders for organizations that they may be interested in joining.
Felipe Perez, President of Amigos Latinos, handed out free limited edition t-shirts for the members of his organization and shared that from this technique, they were able to get around twenty new members within the first hour of the event.
“Our whole mission with the Cultural Identity Center is to be an inclusive environment, and an event like this helps bring together everyone on campus. It doesn’t matter where your background is, you know who you are. This is a fun place to interact with our centers and learn about our different cultures,” Perez said.
Attending events, such as Tie Dye-Versity, is a great way to take a break from your monotonous routine by having fun. It also creates great networking opportunities, sometimes with free food.
