SAB: Bringing the Fun to Campus
The Student Activities Board (SAB) at UIC brings some of the best events to campus. Everything from laughter and entertainment during LOL @ UIC to playful puppies and stress relief at Doggypalooza, is shaped by students. SAB has been a cornerstone of campus life since 2012, created from a dedicated initiative to enhance school spirit and community engagement. Vanesa Velazquez, Assistant Director for the Center for Student Involvement, says, “SAB provides engagement opportunities for UIC students.” Through a diverse array of events and engagement opportunities, SAB enhances the student experience and creates meaningful connections throughout Chicago and beyond. Tasked with planning, promoting, and producing a wide array of campus-wide programs, SAB members work together to create a vibrant, inclusive community for all of UIC.
How SAB is organized
Vanesa explains that the SAB is organized into six executive board positions that drive its mission to enhance campus life at UIC. These student-driven positions include the President, Vice President of Marketing, Vice President of Membership, and three specialized committee chairs: Trending, Mainstage, and Arts and Culture. Each role plays a crucial part in steering SAB activities and initiatives. General members actively contribute to brainstorming, marketing, and execution of various events in four committees.
Quiara Dortch, SAB President, collaborates with the board to manage events and committees, working closely with the VP of Membership, Estrella Estrada, on non-event related tasks. Students design enjoyable events within budget, date, space, and theme constraints while learning vendor communication and contract management. This develops leadership skills by stepping out of comfort zones while having fun. SAB also partners with UIC departments like the Wellness Center and UIC Radio to reach students and showcase campus resources.
Committees
Arts & Culture (A&C)
A&C Celebrates diverse cultures on campus through art forms—including music, dance, painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, film, and TV.
Mainstage
Mainstage brings live entertainment to campus including concerts, comedy shows, DJs, dances, and showcases.
Marketing
The marketing committee markets all SAB events by creating social media posts, designing specific images for SAB, and developing marketing campaigns.
Trending
The trending committee organizes events that are engaging and educational such as Back to School, Halloween, Valentine's Day, or Women's History Month.
Joining SAB
If interested in serving, Vanesa says, “SAB recruits new students at the start of every semester. Students must apply to be part of SAB. If you are interested in taking on a leadership role with SAB, follow @UICSAB on Instagram for more information. If a student is accepted, they must actively participate in weekly meetings, plan events, and execute.” Check out the upcoming events list or attend an information meeting on Aug. 27 or Sept. 10 to learn more!
Victoria Rodriguez, A&C chair, shares that her most memorable experiences involve meeting new people and engaging in diverse campus activities while volunteering. She highlights, “Seeing people have fun at your events is one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve had. Knowing that all our efforts are being appreciated is very satisfying to see.”
Quiara mentions that the friendships and connections are the most rewarding to her. "Everyone in SAB brings different backgrounds and creativity to the table." Her favorite events were Anime and K-pop Convention (AKCON) and Broken Heart Karaoke Night.
They both advise that even if students aren't studying event planning, they will gain valuable skills like organization, accountability, and leadership by getting involved. Don’t feel intimidated—everyone is there to help! Students enjoy seeing their ideas come to life.
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UIC’s Student Activity Board is a great way to be immersed in campus life, develop new skills, and contribute to a vibrant UIC community. Whether students are passionate about arts and culture, trends, live entertainment, or promotion, there’s a place for them in SAB. Follow @UICSAB on social media for updates regarding events and membership intake and stay tuned for a future blog where students can learn more about how SAB brings the fun to campus.