From the Marriott Library to the A. Ray Olpin Student Union, tabling is a resource available for all University of Utah students. Student organizations and campus groups use tabling to advertise events, recruit members and share information in some of the most central locations on campus.
Whether promoting club meetings or hosting large-scale involvement fairs, tabling can serve as a bridge between students and the many organizations that operate on campus. While the practice is widespread at the U, policies governing where and how tabling can take place differ by location, with separate procedures in place at each building.
At the Union
Andree Boggess, the Union’s senior events manager, said in a written statement that there are many different ways that students can schedule to table at the Union. Students can schedule through online request, email, phone call or walk-in. “The Union will supply a table and two chairs for tabling,” she said.
The Union allows for multiple inside or outside tabling locations. Boggess said that the “best place to table outside is along the Patio Walkway, [but] if the weather is not cooperating … tabling must be inside the Union at the long countertop in the Union Recreation area near the billiards tables, and there are limited spaces in that area.”
The Union holds many large events throughout the school year. One of these events is the semesterly Get Involved Fair, which provides students the opportunity to “connect with Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs)” and “explore ways to get involved … to help you make the most of your U experience,” according to the event’s social media post.
The building also provides students with opportunities to speak out. The “Make Your Change” program allows for students to schedule protests and rallies at the Union. Microphones and speakers are provided to the event organizers as needed.
Allowing students to not only table for clubs and groups but also to organize for certain movements supports what Boggess said is the Union’s mission. “The Union’s mission is to build community on campus and one of the ways we support that is by providing a location for student clubs and orgs to connect with new students, helping students connect with a potential new community,” she said.
At the library
Use of campus plaza space, both as a student organization or not, are approved by the Office of the Registrar. Organizations must submit an application two weeks in advance for the purposes of their event. Additionally, external groups cannot reserve classroom space.
Public visitors may reserve spaces at the Marriott Library, such as the Gould Auditorium and the Learning Spaces, for events. Reservations must be constituted by a U college, department or organization, while students, staff and faculty have priority for other library resources and services.
Heidi Brett is the Marketing and PR Director for the library. She explained the process of scheduling these spaces, which can be done 120 days prior to the event and no later than five days before.
“The library has an internal events committee that reviews event ideas before they are approved. Campus units are permitted to reserve certain rooms for their specific events. The library aims to provide activities that support student success and provide a margin of excellence,” Brett said.
Brett added that library activities serve to support the U’s three core principles: research, student success and community. Students can reserve specific rooms and classes for working or studying. The library helps students during exams in their Stress Buster Week every semester the week before exams, setting up tabling and activity booths inside the library.
“The library partners with other units like the Counseling Center and Intermountain Therapy Dogs so students can take a healthy break from studying and working. Students enjoy things like sandwiches, tips on stress management, pizza, coloring books, and such,” Brett said.
