Do you mind just introducing yourself?

Sure. My name is Rey Benschop and I am the Associate Director of Student Activities for Engagement.

What brought you to Hamilton?

Well, it is a great environment. I have always loved working at small schools. I think you really get an opportunity to know the students on a more personal level and it is a good location.

What are your goals for this year?

Sure. So I would say that at least for my role, I work primarily with Campus Activities Board (CAB) and so most of my goals kind of revolve around making sure that CAB continues to organize a lot of regular events, bigger and better than previous outings. So, that has kind of been my main focus at the moment. I will also be working on traditions and making sure that we uphold the traditions that Hamilton students value and continue to evolve those traditions to make them even more memorable.

What are the challenges of working at a small school like Hamilton?

I think you hit the nail on the head. I think being a smaller school in a town as opposed to a larger city…and Hamilton is kind of the only college in the immediate area…I would say that other schools that I have either worked at or attended have the benefit of being one of two or three different institutions that you could work with and partner on, so not having kind of the same level of just other entities in the town, I am sure [has] been kind of a little bit of a challenge. I have not experienced much myself, but if I had to pick something I would probably say that.

Since you work with CAB, could you tell me a little bit about the B.o.B situation, or share what the plans are going forward?

Sure, sure. So, I was not here for that so anything that I would say, would really be secondhand since when I started it was kind of in the fallout of that. I will say that, in talking with the students on CAB, the decision was not made lightly. I think they put a lot of thought into the decision that they made. So, I think that is really the only thing that I can say, just given that I was not here, but I will say that they do have a full concert. They were very committed to making sure that they did provide the student body with something so there will be a fall concert on Dec. 2. And they will be releasing the artist as soon as the contract is signed, which we are pretty close to doing.

Are there any upcoming events or plans that you’re particularly excited for?

Yeah, actually, I will say that CAB has a lot of really cool, fun stuff coming up. Next week, we will be dragging trivia in so that there will be a collaboration between CAB, Black and Latine Student Union (BLSU), Gender and Sexuality Union (GSU) and the Days-Massolo Center (DMC). They also have another off-campus trip, so they have a trip to Broadway as well as a roller-skating event coming up in a couple of weeks on Nov. 11, and a comedy show in November.

Is there anything you wish Hamilton students knew more about regarding student activities, programming or things to do?

So, I would offer two pieces of advice. I think the first is to definitely read your email. Keep an eye out for flyers and things like that. I think it is really easy to overlook things sometimes, but I think keeping an eye out for those opportunities to be engaged in is really important. I would also say — and I think that this piece of advice is oftentimes a little harder to follow than it is to say — but I think sometimes people hold themselves back from going to events because “oh well, I feel a little tired,” “oh my friends do not want to go so I do not want to go” and “I might not know too many people there.” I think that I would say just take the leap. I think it is a good opportunity to branch out and try something new.