Six years ago, Orange After Dark ran 16 events every academic year — at most. That number has since risen to 50 regularly sold-out shows.

Orange After Dark is a series of late-night programs and events for Syracuse University and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry students designed as an alternative nightly activity on the weekends. The Office of Student Activities hosts the program.

Popular events include comedy shows, Escape the Room, Fright Night at the Fair, late-night movie screenings, trips to Dave & Buster’s and more. Some events require tickets, which are free or cost less than $5.

The program is open to everyone on campus — not just new students — and was designed to bring students together as an easy way to connect with others and make friends.

“If you’re not sure where you fit in in Syracuse or if you want to make friends outside of your dorm or outside of your classes, OAD is great because you’re putting yourself out there,” said Nikki Bracci, an OAD student board member and junior communication and rhetorical studies major.

The program gives students an opportunity to experience something new both on and off campus, said Audrey White, an OAD student board member and senior public health major.

Although a high concentration of event attendees are freshmen, there is a strong basis of sophomores, juniors and seniors at the events, which generally include an element of team building.

“I found that on most weekends I was just sitting in my dorm room alone watching movies, playing video games,” said Simon Wechsler, an OAD student board member and a senior in the School of Education. “When I found out about Orange After Dark, it enlightened me to the fact that there are programs on this campus meant for anyone of any interest.”

OAD strives to be a breeding ground for cultivating relationships without the presence of alcohol. Since Syracuse University was ranked The Princeton Review’s fourth biggest party school in the country, having fun without alcohol can be a common concern for some students.

“Contrary to what the stereotype might be, not everyone on this campus is looking to party every weekend,” said Courtney Jones, associate director of SU’s Office of Student Activities.

The program buses students out to venues in Syracuse and central New York to familiarize themselves with the community, with hopes that they will go back on their own.

OAD receives funding from the Student Association and the Division of Student Affairs through the co-curricular fee, which allows the program coordinators to offer these events at such a low cost for students.

“We’re committed to keeping events really affordable for students,” Jones said. “We just want to make sure that students who want to take advantage of these opportunities are able to.”

The ticket fee serves as an incentive to commit to attending the event.

With an average price of $3, tickets usually include entertainment, transportation and sometimes dinner.

“The draw for a lot of students is because they’re really getting a great value,” Jones said. “You can’t even buy a soda for that anymore.”

OAD hopes to continue to expand the number of students that events can accommodate to give as many opportunities to students as possible, Jones said. Event tickets sell out regularly.

Jones said students buying tickets and showing up are the best ways the OAD student board knows that students are enjoying the events.

The newest addition to the OAD event lineup is a Grit ‘N Wit obstacle course on the Quad. The event will premiere on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 10 p.m.

Published on August 23, 2017 at 3:15 pm

Contact Rori: rhsachs@syr.edu