A View From Inside the CAB

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) at the University of Mobile is a popular group that is a part of the university’s Campus Life organization. This team is responsible for all concerts, dances, and large-scale games that happen on campus at the university. CAB is a board made up of 7 directors and 1 Campus Life Coordinator. Among these 7 directors is senior Humanities and Theology major, Jeremy Crews.

Crews is in his fourth year of involvement with CAB, three of which he has spent serving as a director. He first knew he was interested in being a director after volunteering as a freshman. Through volunteering, Crews not only realized just how much he loved putting on events, but also felt it was something he was good at. “It was somewhere that I could use my creativity to benefit others,” said Crews. “Plus, you get to meet famous people.”

Although he loves every minute of it, Crews says there are numerous misconceptions about CAB and the CAB directors. “For one, every time that tuition goes up, we get blamed,” Crews said. “I can’t count how many times I’ve heard, ‘Oh look! Another concert! That’s why tuition went up!’ And it just makes me angry.” Another misconception Crews discussed was the selection process for events such as Covers and Songwriter’s Showcase. In the past, many students have voiced concerns about the selection process, saying that the CAB team always chooses their friends and/or their favorites, rather than choosing those that display the best talent. According to Crews, “We pick the best, even if we don’t personally like them. I’ve had to say ‘no’ to good friends of mine because they didn’t make the cut – even roommates.”

If there was one thing Crews wished other students could understand about CAB and the directors, it would be for them to realize just how much work goes into making every event great and memorable. “It’s a lot of hard work, and it’s usually a thankless job,” Crews said. “People know how to complain really well, but encouragement is nice every now and then.”
One of Crews’ favorite events is Covers, which just took place this past Friday. The easiest way to describe Covers is as a student-wide talent show (although it’s much more than that), with a full production factor. “It has the benefit of being classic, yet still new and exciting,” said Crews about the event. “It’s simple, but every semester there is a new twist that makes it even that much greater.”

Crews also says that the ability to surprise the student body – what he refers to as the “wow factor” – is one of the best parts of being a CAB director. It’s that unexpected moment that blows the students minds at an event when the ordinary becomes the extraordinary. For example, for past few Covers events, this “wow” factor has included a random afterparty dance, a surprise concert, and even a huge LED Screen backdrop. “People don’t see it coming, and when they finally get it, they’re amazed,” Crews said. “There’s an incredible feeling when you see those faces, and know that you caused them.”
Not only is CAB fun to be a part of, but it teaches valuable life skills as well. One thing CAB has taught Crews, is how to deal with difficult people. What most students don’t realize, is just how many complaints the CAB directors hear about every event. “I think I’ve gotten good at keeping my cool at the right moments,” said Crews about being confronted with student griefs. “[Being in CAB] has also taught me how to work with a budget, how to work with a team, and how to delegate responsibility to volunteers.” Also, Crews says CAB has taught him about himself. “I’ve learned a lot about myself and my own strengths and weaknesses that I can apply to everything that I do.”

While being a part of CAB is exciting and fun, it also has it’s negative aspects as well, as does any job. However, although those negative elements do exist, they never seem to outweigh the benefits and great memories. Each CAB director will tell you that they might sometimes feel unappreciated, exhausted, or frustrated by CAB related tasks/situations. However, no matter what, each one will always tell you even more about how much they love every minute of it.

For those who are interested in volunteering for CAB, or even eventually becoming a CAB director, Crews encourages getting started now. By getting involved in whatever way possible now, students will have the ability to see as many different sides of CAB as possible. “I’d tell them that they need to love it, make sure the want it, and then give it their all,” said Crews on advice to future directors. “This school is amazing, and it deserves to be amazed. We need people who can pull that off.” In order to be a CAB director, you simply fill out an appilcation and go through an interview process – all of which begins late in February. For more information about involvement with CAB, contact Crews (jcrews80@rams.umobile.edu), coordinator Chase Alford (calford@umobile.edu), or any of the other members of the current CAB team.

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