What is Campus Activities Board, or CAB, exactly? Well on Wednesday November 25^th, reporter Luke Chapdelaine interviewed CAB advisors (in alphabetical order) Aileen Clay, Joanne Jagodowski, and Mark McGrath to find out what CAB means to them.

Many colleges’ have a Campus Activities Board that is responsible for planning and executing events on campus. Our own CAB is responsible for the majority of events that take place at Manchester Community College (MCC) such as the Lunchtime Lounge, and Spring Bash as well as many other events.

CAB is made up of a diverse selection of students, from many different backgrounds, ages, and genders. When speaking with the CAB advisors, Ms. Clay mentioned that the group went from around one member two years ago, to around 27 members this year, and that they are still growing rapidly. Membership for CAB is open, and it is a non-self serving organization that is there for the good of the college. They try to think outside of the box, and cater to everyone, hosting student events, campus events, and even family events.

Also, like the organization itself, CAB’s advisors are diverse as well. Ms. Clay works with Student Life, Ms. Jagodowski is head of the Art & Design department, and Mr. McGrath is an Admissions Counselor. They say it is a good mix, and that the club benefits from all aspects of its members. The advisors are just that, advisors. They let the students run it, and they are impressed by what is being done. Joanne Jagodowski said that it is “Good watching the growth.”

One of the main topics discussed was the CAB leadership itself, the students. CAB is primarily a student led club, and is going through some restructuring to put more control in the hands of MCC’s students. Growth, leadership, and community are important to CAB; it’s about self improvement, to better improve the organization, to better improve the college’s community. As I was told, the college is more than just classes, it is a community. As an Admissions Counselor, Mr. McGrath knows the relationship between student involvement and retention. He noted that the more involved and invested one is in their college, the more successful they are. Mark McGrath said that “We’re a real school.” And also “CAB has the mission, and the ability to make this feel like real college.”

CAB is continuing to put forth a great effort in benefiting the school and the community within it. They are going to continue a wide selection of events including more performers for the Lunchtime Lounge, more movie nights, and other performances at the college.

As a final note, I would personally like to thank Aileen Clay, Joanne Jagodowski, and Mark McGrath for all the help the provided for this article, and for the wealth of information they had. I am considering joining CAB myself, and urge others to look into it.