Program Council, one of SMU’s largest and oldest student organizations, has announced its plans to continue student programming remotely during this unprecedented time.

This announcement comes following the decision to cancel two of Program Council’s, or PC’s, most anticipated events of the year: Sing Song and 24-Hour Musical. This disappointing news in combination with numerous other significant events getting cancelled across campus due to COVID-19 inspired Program Council’s leadership team to keep working.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-qNa7VJT_x/“It’s important for PC’s programming to continue in order to continue to provide opportunities for all students to engage with each other,” said Associate Director of Student Involvement and staff advisor for Program Council, Lauren Chapman. “The opportunity to see and perform in Sing Song and 24-Hour Musical can’t be replicated, but PC can provide some creative outlets and help students stay connected to each other.”

With events ranging from trivia nights to Tik Tok competitions, PC is offering a variety virtual activities to keep students involved. This marks the first time in Program Council’s history that programming has had to be held online.

“These new events are forcing us to engage students through a different medium than we have before,” said Program Council president Daniel Heard. “I know that we as an organization are going to grow stronger as a result of this. Who knows, maybe some of these new digital events will stay a part of how PC brings the fun, even when we are back on campus.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-7QspqJV6K/In a situation unlike anything Program Council or SMU has ever faced, they are having to get creative to continue fulfilling their organization’s purpose.

“Program Council’s purpose is to ‘unify and celebrate the community found in the SMU student body through fun and innovative programming,’” Heard said. “This normally happens by bringing the fun to campus. Obviously we are no longer on campus, but that doesn’t mean our mission to bring fun to students should stop. I think that more than ever before, the SMU community needs opportunities to have fun and be connected with each other.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B–xIbfpecE/Stay up-to-date with Program Council’s events on their Instagram, @smupc.