by Guest on Mon Jan 23, 2006 8:34 pm
I think it's really unfair to say that DRA is anti-social and especially to say that there have only been two events organised and that we're getting "royally screwed".
In Freshers' Week, we had a pub crawl, 3 BBQs with mucho free alcohol, the we've had the Hallowe'en party, the Christmas Party, there was an attempt at a party for Children in Need, but no one turned up, there have been numerous pub quizes (with prizes usually worth £80), and I'm sure there's more events coming. Admittedly, not all of these events have a huge cost (ie, the pub crawl and quizes), but it definitely takes an effort. The people on the Committee spend hours each week organising stuff for us to do and really don't get any benefits from it - and rarely do we thank them. Just because it's not your typ of thing, it doesn't mean there is nothing going on.
It's really a poor show when we live here, pay hall subs, expect social events, don't attend any of them and then complain. The onus is completely on each of the residents when it comes to making DRA a social place and the Committee can't force us to go to events.
And to say we don't get our money's worth? If we didn't live in DRA and paid seperately for all the events we get, that's £1 for each pub quiz (probably about 8 in a year), two £5 tickets for the Christmas party, two £15 tickets for the Ball. There are newspapers in the Bistro and Sky in the Bar and Nisbet Room - both of which the Committee pay for. Let's add that up... I make that £48 plus the newspapers and Sky which we can't really break down into a per-person cost. Other than the Ball, I'm sure there will be more events in the next semester and people still say that we don't get our money's worth.
I know I'm sort of on a rant, but this isn't my first year in DRA and this probably isn't my last. You can't say it's "boring" and has lost it's "atmosphere" when you walk past blocks at 2am and there are groups of people outside most nights of the week. Maybe you guys are just living in the wrong blocks....?
Basically, to have a better time in DRA, go to the events spend more time meeting people in DRA (there are more than 700 people, no one person knows everyone) and make it a sociable place! It's up to you to do it, I know I'm doing my part!