By Julian Menendez | Staff Writer
On Tuesday, Nov. 25, the courtyard of the Paul Cejas Architecture Building came to life as FIU’s architecture student organizations hosted their Fall Festival. With music, dancing, snacks, games, and festive lights, the event offered students a much-needed opportunity to relax and unwind before the end-of-semester crunch.
The event was organized by Alpha Rho Chi, NOMAS, and the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), and was funded by the Student Government Association. Students trickled in throughout the evening, gathering in small groups to enjoy the cozy atmosphere and each other’s company.
For many architecture students, the Fall Festival wasn’t just a social gathering, but a pause from the intense demands of the semester. Enrique Socarras, a fifth-year architecture student and president of the Alpha Rho Chi fraternity, emphasized the importance of events like these to students.
“Sometimes in this major, we get a little lost in our work,” Socarras said. “We wanted to take a step back and have a nice time where we just appreciate what we have and the friendships we make.”
The American Institute of Architecture Students showcased equipment for their laser tag fundraising tournament | Julian Menendez, PantherNOW
As karaoke echoed and games were played, students gathered beneath the warm glow of the string lights near the fabrication lab – laughing and savoring a brief moment of calm before the chaos of finals.
Third-year architecture major Ailen Rodriguez echoed this sentiment, noting that while turnout was somewhat limited, the timing of the event was essential.
“We’re starting finals season, so people are studying and finishing their models,” she said. “But it’s also a good break. It’s like a cool-down before things get more stressful.”
Rodriguez also felt that future events could benefit from better promotion to boost attendance.
“It’s a pretty good event—I just wish there were more people,” she said. “I think there are a lot of good events,” she added. “But sometimes the good ones are kind of hidden with last-minute posts. If they promoted them earlier and reminded people, I think more would show up.”
The event was a collaborative effort between several student organizations. Angelina Rodriguez, one of the event planners and a member of APX, notes that fostering community is vital to the architecture experience at FIU.
“Community is a very big part of my major,” she said. “These events help people know that they have your back and you have theirs with anything that they need in general.”
Rodriguez, who serves as the co-chair for Alpha Rho Chi, is already helping with planning Art Night, one of the biggest architecture events of the spring. Slated for March, the event will showcase student artwork and feature performances from various on-campus groups.
With finals close by, this event may be one of the last big student gatherings of the semester, but it won’t be the last time FIU’s architecture community comes together.
“You’ll see about ten events at the start of next semester,” Socarras said. “And then in March, we’ve got Art Night. That one’s huge.”
Whether it’s to recruit new students or simply to have a breather from exams, FIU’s architecture organizations are continuing to build more than models; they’re building community.
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