Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to MPAC?

It's still here, we've just changed its name. Events are still planned by students - for students!

What is the programming board?

As a part of Student Unions & Activities, the programming board is a student-run committee dedicated to providing quality programming at a low cost for the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. Made up of seven committees, the programming board hires students every year to plan events according to the defined goal of each committee. Volunteers are an integral part in the success of the programming board by providing support in the planning process, in addition to attending the events free-of-charge.

What types of events are planned?

Based on the recommendations of current University of Minnesota students, events are planned, promoted, and executed by volunteers and committee chairs. Events include the annual Spring Jam celebration, weekly Gophers After Dark late night activities, comedians, speakers, concerts in the Whole Music Club, and weekly screenings of newly-released films at St. Paul Student Center and Coffman Union theaters.

Past events have included:

• BJ Novak (writer and actor from "The Office")
• Martin Luther King, III
• Atmosphere
• Cloud Cult
• Candace Bushnell (writer of "Sex and the City")
• The Roots
• Second City comedy troupe

What is the planning process?

Chairs work with their volunteer committee and advisor to choose an event they would like to plan and implement. Student committees meet with agents, reserve venues, meet regularly about event logistics, create budgets, promote events, and carry out events. Depending on how much a volunteer wants to get involved, they can be involved in every step of the planning process or only part of it.

How is the programming board structured?

The programming board consists of seven committees, who each plan events under the advisement of two executive members and several full-time advisors.

View the organization chart or download the organization chart (PDF).

How many people attend events?

Depending on the type of event, attendance can range from several thousand students for Spring Jam events or several hundred students at weekly film showings. Our goal is to provide relevant programming at a low cost, making attendance a key indicator of success for any given event.

How do I get involved?

Help out! Students begin their involvement by volunteering on one of the seven committees that make up the programming board. Volunteers will help out in every stage of the event-planning process - from brainstorming event ideas to actually implementing them. No experience in event-planning is necessary; we ask that you be interested in providing your fellow students with quality programming.

Every spring semester, recruitment for committee chairs begins. Positions are paid and require a minimum time commitment of 6 hours a week.