Campus Organization Profile: Activities and Programming Council

APC offers students a diverse selection of events and programs

For more than 10 years, Activities and Programming Council (APC) has been one of UMKC’s more prominent student organizations.

Over time, its role on campus has expanded, with attendance for this semester’s APC-sponsored events totaling more than 5,000 students.

On March 11 alone, 567 students attended the B.o.B. and OneRepublic concert at Swinney Recreation Center, which also drew 689 non-students, for a total of 1,267 attendees, exceeding APC’s goal of 1,000.

While many students have seen ads and promotions for APC events, many do not realize their membership in APC is automatic, as it is for every UMKC student.

APC’s diverse activity offerings are part of the group’s effort to provide quality social, educational and entertainment-based activities and programs to the UMKC student body and community, as stated on the group’s website.

Part of APC’s mission is to provide students with opportunities in leadership and management, which it does through a number of board and volunteer positions.

Students who volunteer at three or more events and attend three or more meetings, held 7 p.m. every Thursday in the SGA Senate Chamber, become members of MOB, the group’s volunteer base.

“We call our volunteers a MOB,” President Chelsia Potts said, “because that is the definition of a group of Kangaroos.”

Potts said events are planned at least one month in advance of the following semester.

Events are planned by the executive board, which oversees several different planning committees.

To accommodate student interests, the planning process is open to student input, although MOB members are the most influential contributors, Potts said.

Planning events, such as the B.o.B. and OneRepublic concert, is a multi-stage process.

“We talk to the students, concert committee, APC executive board to get suggestions,” Potts said. “From there we check the availability of the artist and their cost to make sure they are accepting college dates and in our budget.”

After that, Potts said, a middle agent between the university and the artist’s management is contacted, and logistical details are worked out.

A concert committee was also developed to give students access to the planning of spring concerts.

To receive allocations for individual concerts, APC presents to the Student Activity Fee Committee (SAFC).

A special allocation of $100,000 was made toward the B.o.B. and OneRepublic concert.

According to Potts and APC adviser Lashaundra Randolph, ticket sales serve as placeholder fees for the concert and any remaining balance after the concert goes back to SAFC.

APC’s leadership roles include nine executive board members, who are chosen each spring.

They include President of Operations, Vice President of Operations, Educational Development Coordinator, Graphic Artist, Marketing/Advertising, Roo Traditions and Spirit Coordinator, Social Justice Coordinator, Special Events Coordinator and Webmaster.

The board is overseen by two advisers, who oversee the group’s operations and work with Risk Management to ensure safety at APC events.

Potts said Fall 2011 executive board applications are due April 1 and are open for all UMKC students to apply.

Once the new executive board is chosen, APC will begin planning events for the Fall 2011 semester.

Potts and Randolph said more concerts like B.o.B. and OneRepublic are likely.

“So far we’ve heard great review and ideas for next year,” APC wrote in an email response to the U-News. “Students have told us they like when we mix different genres, and we would like to continue doing that.”

For more information and upcoming events, visit www.apcactivities.com and www.facebook.com/pages/UMKC-Activity-and-Program-Council/66144102967.

nzoschke@unews.com