3 Lessons Student Affairs Could Learn from the Harlem Shake

By now, I’m sure you have heard about and seen the Harlem Shake YouTube video. If you haven’t, go to YouTube and type in “Harlem Shake” and thousands of results will appear. The original is here

I have noticed quite a few student affairs professionals make negative comments about the video or ask, “Why is this so popular” in a sarcastic tone. While I certainly won’t try to justify whether or not you should like the video, I think there are three lessons student affairs can take from the video:

1. Encourage Creativity
Some might argue that the original video has little to no creativity at all. Yet, I’d challenge you to watch the UGA swimming version, then a campus-based version, then another. Each video in a way, tells a story. It allows for creative freedom in a quick 30 seconds. If your student’s create a Harlem Shake, embrace it and share in their creativity.

2. Simplicity = Buy-In
When it was created, the concept of Facebook was simple. The same is true with Twitter. Square’s card reader was created as a simple way to make quick and easy payments from your phone. The latest tech craze is Vine, Twitter’s new video sharing app that allows you to create a 6 second video. What do all of these companies and applications have in common; simplicity.

The Harlem Shake follows this successful path by allowing 30 seconds of silly creativity for anyone caring to create a YouTube video. Students like things that are simple and easy to understand. As Student Affairs professionals, when we keep things simple, we get more buy-in. As the old acronym states, “Keep it simple stupid!”

3. Take Your Assessment/Theory Hat OFF and Put Your FUN Hat ON!
It’s important for students to do some things simply because they’re fun and bring people together. That’s not a bad thing. Some of the best Harlem Shakes have brought school spirit! If you are trying to create change in your respective Student Affairs position, then fun needs to be part of the equation. So, before you announce to the world how stupid you think the Harlem Shake is after a student shares their excitement in the new fad, pause, take a moment and just share in their peculiar humor. Heck, if we are getting really crazy, encourage your students to set up a Harlem Shake video and you be the one to start the video. If anything, I think some students would see you in a positive, he/she’s not "THAT" bad kind of perspective.

5 Things Fraternity Men Can Do On Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day. The day some people dread and some people love. Whether you love Single Awareness Day or love the thought of spending time with your special someone, you can always make someone’s day regardless of the occasion. At times, I get asked, “What is a good way to surprise women in a sorority?” Well, here are five ideas I came up with that I think could make your Fraternity stand out amongst the rest on Valentine’s Day…

Serenades

There is something about singing that women love. Whether it is one fraternity man singing and the chapter standing beside him or a group of men singing in a cappella, it has a positive effect. Not quite sure what to sing? Keep it simple. It is the thought that counts. Women know you aren’t Usher or Justin Timberlake but they will appreciate the courage and confidence. Need an example? Check this out:  http://www.vh1.com/music/tuner/2013-01-30/jc-chasez-lumineers-ho-hey-sorority-serenade/.  Two other things to remember if you decide to test your vocal cords – keep it appropriate and dress to impress. It defeats the whole activity if the song turns into something dirty or inappropriate. As far as attire, a group of men in a suit and tie look much better than men in a variety of clothes. Trust me.

Shovel Snow

For my readers in the Northern part of the United States, this is for you. Imagine this scenario for a moment. You are a sorority woman with an 8am class. You know that it is going to be cold outside and you are going to have to shovel snow off your car. You put on your jacket, scarf and brace for the numbness your face is about to feel. You walk out to your car dreading the next 5-10 minutes of scraping ice off your car. You step out the door and to your amazement; your car has been taken care of by fraternity men! No scraping ice for you! You look down the row to see all of your sorority sisters cars have been scraped off. You look down and notice that your sidewalk has been shoveled. Men, this works. Go the extra mile and leave a lasting impression. What do you think that girl will do first? My guess is that she will either Instagram the selfless act, text her sisters or have a big smile on her to start her day. Regardless, she will be a happy girl.

Flowers

Women love flowers. Men, we know this (or at least I hope you know this). Valentine’s Day is notorious for flowers. So, how can you stand out? Well, why not buy a bunch of flowers and hand them out to every woman you see on campus. Whether she is a sorority woman, a female faculty member or that female chapter advisor you haven’t talked to in a little while. To make this activity even more impactful, have a little note attached to each flower. Something short and sweet that says something like, “You are beautiful” or “You are going to have a fantastic day.” Talk about free publicity and getting people talking about your organization!

Social to a Retirement Home

Fraternity men and sorority women love socials/mixers. They are a great way to meet new fraternity/sorority members and have some fun. Well, why not tie that into Valentine’s Day by taking a sorority to a retirement home for a Valentine’s Day social. Each Greek member pairs up with someone from the retirement home and takes them as their Valentine. You dance, you play bingo and you have a conversation with someone you didn’t know before the social. You show gratitude and spend two hours impacting someone’s life. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure sorority women would love this idea and the thought that went into this activity.

Valentine Day Dance

I think this one is self-explanatory but the planning that goes into this event is what makes the difference. Rent out a room in your Student Union, a local VFW hall or block off your chapter house dining area for Valentine’s Day.

A few weeks beforehand, have each member of the chapter give the Valentine Day Chairman a name of someone they would like to invite to the dance. Allow him to personally send a letter or card to those women stating that they have been invited to this exclusive event.

A few hours before the event, ensure the room is looking great. Decorate it with table clothes, flowers, chocolates, etc. This is a dry event (meaning no alcohol) so get creative with food and drinks. Have a DJ. Have a photo booth. Have a member in the chapter (or alumnus) that can be a photographer.

Depending on your budget, figure out a unique way for women to arrive together. Charter bus? Limo? School bus? Once they arrive, have a fun way for them to find their date. Maybe it is by their tie? Their socks or by the flower they are holding in their hand. Each date gets a flower. Each date gets a hug. Each date gets a gift for the event.

As the night goes on, set aside some time for a serenade and a brief speech thanking the women for their attendance. At the end of the night, conclude with another serenade and an offer to drive them back home.


I’m not Hitch and I’m not love expert but I think these activities would leave a lasting impression on any sorority woman. Try it out and let me know how it goes. Good luck!