Culture Shock: An Events and Entertainment Committee Gives Us a Glimpse into the Foundation of Event Planning

By Ariel Doss

Reporting Texas

Ariel Doss/Reporting Texas

At the University of Texas at Austin, Campus Events and Entertainment (E+E) began wrapping up the spring semester Monday with an event hosted by Culture Shock. “Soulful Splatters”’ was a gathering dedicated to building soulful connections through food, music, art and community.

“We talk about different current events, we usually play a game…we usually end with a hot topic,” said Kayanaia Ealem, a member of the Culture Shock membership subcommittee, “And then we have different events like the painting.” 

Culture Shock is one of the 11 committees making up E+E. They meet weekly on Wednesdays and host various events over the semesters, including a talent show.

UT student Donye Crawford has been a member of Culture Shock since his freshman year. After he witnessed membership declining, he saw his opportunity to step in as interim Culture Shock Chair as a way to turn the committee back around.

“The freshmen became our foundation,” Crawford said. “Everybody else followed after, from my first year till now, this is the best [Culture Shock] has ever been.” 

E+E offers events like Soulful Splatters and much more for students throughout the semester. For students who choose to get more involved, the rewards extend further than an art project to take home.

UT E+E President Reo Lee plans to use her event planning and team management experience as she enters the workforce.

“A lot of my leadership roles have been more marketing,” Lee said. “You can definitely put numbers to your experiences and also see people’s happiness.”

The different leadership roles provide students opportunities to prepare themselves for various careers, but even being a dedicated general member has its perks. Committees like Culture Shock can+ provide college students with a community.

“I wish I had joined earlier,” said a member of the membership subcommittee, Kayanaia Ealem. “I love being able to talk to [younger members] throughout their day…to help them out throughout their college journey … just being there for them is the biggest thing I hold near and dear to my heart.”

Crawford makes it a point to make Culture Shock feel like a family, showing students how the strong community starts from the top. 

E+E is preparing for a leadership shift prior to the fall semester, but plans to keep these values at the center of their event planning.

“The most rewarding part is giving people that sense of community,” Crawford said. “The biggest thing I tell them is that I want to create a family feel…especially during our general body meetings.”

Students can visit the Campus Events and Entertainment page to find more information on events and the committees behind them.