Although Fern Smith Hall doesn’t have its own version of Harvest Bash, Steggy Keggy or Coly Christmas, you can bank on the fact that Fern always has something going on behind its doors.
Each week a group of students called the Community Life Committee get-together to discuss dorm happenings and come up with new ideas for events. Known for their catchy event titles like, “Bringing Brooches Back,” this committee keeps Fern residents on their toes with clever ideas for fun around every corner.
One event coming up is “Let’s Talk About Wax, Baby,” which celebrates the conclusion of Fern’s twist of “Beard Month” known as “No Shave Noctober.” After showing off their hairy legs, Fern residents will enjoy a bittersweet night taking turns between stuffing their faces with fondue snacks and forcibly ripping out every long, stubborn leg hair with their waxing kits.
According to Fern RD Lisa Barber, splitting leg hair growth time between October and November has practical purposes for the ladies.
“We go from the Wednesday after midterm break to the Monday before Thanksgiving break so that if people dress up for anything, their leg hair does not hinder their fashion,” Barber said.
Leg hair isn’t the only thing Fern residents are accumulating; they’re also collecting toys and gifts for Operation Christmas Child. Fern will host a wrapping party to put the boxes together before transporting them to the collection site in Sioux Center where they will be distributed to kids all around the world.
Fern also has an intellectual side to its festivities. Every month the dorm gets together for a night of discussion called “Mug ‘n Muffin.” In these discussions the ladies are encouraged to talk about anything that’s on their minds.
“We talk about a whole range of things,” Barber said, “from crushes to lessons learned to what God is doing in their lives.”
Whether engaging in a mindless, intellectual, entertaining or philanthropic activity, Fern is all about branching out and growing together as a dorm.
“The point is to have shared experiences together and to spend time with people from all over the dorm,” Barber said, “not just on their wings.”
Activities ranging from rewriting the lyrics of “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego” to “Where at Northwestern is President Greg Christy,” building paper maché Fern fountains, sharing coffee over a profound discussion, watching Glee or The Office together to inflicting pain on each other with searing, hot wax are all activities that reflect the diverse personality and eccentricity that is Fern Hall.
PHOTO BY EMILY GOWING