ETSU’s Kingsport Student Service Organization has a full schedule of events lined up for the fall semester in hopes of building a strong student community on campus.
KSSO is responsible for organizing many campus activities, both during the day and after school hours, as well as maintaining a snack and drink station available all day and offering occasional meals for students.
“Our main goal is to get students engaged in this campus… to really have the college experience,” said KSSO president Kristen Kennedy. “KSSO is a way for students here to be able to be a part of something, to feel like they can make a change to this campus.”
Kennedy also hopes KSSO provides students with the opportunity “to take their mind off of school or work or whatever they have going on and just be part of their community at ETSU”.
Stephanie New, the student activities coordinator at ETSU Kingsport, sees KSSO as a way to involve students who feel alienated from the student community in Johnson City, being remote or commuter students.
“Just because you’re a commuter doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be entitled to [having] that college experience,” New said.
New and Kennedy both share the goal of ensuring students at ETSU Kingsport are doing more than just school; they hope to provide students with opportunities to have fun.
KSSO is helpful to preserving this goal, as it is the only organization on the campus that involves student activities, which is why members take pride in being a part of it.
“It’s been a joy to do,” said Kennedy. “It’s made me be more involved with this campus more than I ever thought I could be.”
The first event of the semester is “Bonfire Night” on Sept. 15, from 7-9 p.m. outside the student lounge. There will be free s’mores, hotdogs and games set up.
In accordance with homecoming week, which is Oct. 17-21, there will be an all-week-long corn hole tournament and a “Notable Alumni Display.” On Oct. 18, KSSO will host “Queso with KSSO” will provide chips and salsa, queso and guacamole, as well as walking tacos. Finally, from Oct. 19-20, KSSO asks students and faculty to wear blue and gold.
KSSO has planned a “Fall Festival” from Oct. 24-31, which will include pumpkin painting, games and free candy all week.
For more information, students can visit the KSSO page on Buc-Hub or contact KSSO President Kristen Kennedy.
