Residence Life at Colorado Mesa University puts on a multitude of events through their after-hours programming called Mavs After Dark.

Emily Bollinger, Assistant Director of Residence Life, says that Residence Life hosts events such as the Vine Party and Bob Ross Paint Night for a couple of reasons.

“We want to create a strong community for our students,” Bollinger said. “Mavs After Dark, Residence Hall Association events, and Res Hall programs give students an opportunity to meet other students and create a connection to CMU. Through engagement in campus activities, we hope students create strong ties and bonds to CMU and Grand Junction. We also want to enrich their college experience.”

According to Bollinger, “Mavs After Dark provides students with an alternative to leaving campus and experimenting with drugs and alcohol.”

“We continually ask ourselves ‘What do students want,’ how can we get students to come & stay, and how do we market & promote the events?” Bollinger said. “The Bob Ross paint night was an idea our student leaders came up with. The event was hugely successful with over 270 students attending.”

“For Mavs After Dark, each Residence Hall Council is assigned a month. Working with the Residence Hall Coordinator, it is up to the RHC to decide the event,” Bollinger said. After that the student leaders plan the event. The Senior Resident Assistants and the Residence Hall Council (RHC) members plan and execute these events.”