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Need a date for Valentine’s Day? Look no further than the Union tonight.
The Union Programming Council (UPC) is hosting speed dating tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Crimson View on the fourth floor of the Union.
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Connor Hyde, director of development for UPC, said the event costs $5 to enter — a $2 increase from the past two years. The extra money will go toward the U’s Union leadership scholarship. But Hyde hopes the price will also add to a good time for the participants.
“It’s a cool chance to meet at least 25 new people in a way you normally wouldn’t,” he said.
Stephanie Gladwin, a sophomore in international studies and sociology, went to the annual event last year. She was nervous going in because she thought it would be awkward, but she ended up enjoying the night.
“They made it fun. It was a lot more inviting than I was expecting,” she said. “UPC set it up in a great way, so I felt comfortable.”
Even though Gladwin said she had her fair share of socially awkward encounters with guys who did not know how to start a conversation, she was able to get some dates out of it as well.
She said the getting-to-know-you questions helped shy participants get conversations started, and Hyde had a fun time coming up with some thought-provoking ones for this year. “There’s been a huge blizzard, and you’re trapped inside your home. What are you going to do?” is one of the questions on the list. Each person gets three minutes to answer and chat.
“We designed it in a way so … that you can get to know the person on a deeper level,” Hyde said.
The event begins with about an hour of speed dating and then transitions to a karaoke activity — a new addition this year. Food will also be provided by the U’s Dining Services.
Gladwin said at last year’s speed dating event there were more guys than girls, but the people she met were fairly diverse, including many graduate students.
That diversity might include some LGBTQ+ students, and Hyde said they are not closing their doors to anyone. He said if someone wants to do speed dating according to their preferences, they will do their best to cater to their needs.
Previous years have brought in about 70 participants. Hyde is hoping for 130 attendees this year.
“It’s a time of year when people are a lot more friendly,” he said.
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