Renovations to the Old University Union have forced Late Nite to get creative with programming space.

The program, offered through Campus Life, runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. According to Andrea Cronkrite, the Late Nite program coordinator, Late Nite is intended to enhance student life on campus. It generally features free games, live music and crafts.

“It’s a way to get students out of their dorm rooms, and it’s something to do that’s not going Downtown,” Cronkrite said.

Due to the renovations, Late Nite has had to hold programs in residence halls, the food court and the East Gym.

“It’s hard because we have to move around; people don’t know where to find us.” Cronkrite said. “A student once asked if Late Nite was even happening one weekend.”

According to Aaron Trammell, one of the program’s graduate assistants, the Old Union was a good location for Late Nite because there was a lot of traffic going through it.

“Students coming off of the party scene could head straight into Late Nite,” he said. “Now, it’s much harder to find.”

While statistics aren’t yet available for last semester’s attendance, there is a difference, according to Cronkrite.

“In spring 2007, we had around 250 to 300 people come to the Undergrounds Cafe, an average of 125 students to a movie, and bingo had 105 people. We averaged 100 to 200 people per event,” she said. “Last semester, we had zero to 100 people on average attend an event. For one craft at the East Gym, one student attended.”

Cronkrite said the program averaged 30,000 each year from 2004-07, before the renovations began.

The core group of students is still going to Late Nite, but there are few new students attending, Trammell said.

“Late Nite is a social place to bump into people,” he said. “We’re always located in the food court or outside Susquehanna room.”

Late Nite staff said they were hopeful that program attendance would return to normal once the Old Union renovations finished.

“To my knowledge, we’ll get back the Undergrounds for weekends, which is very important. We will build a new identity, and we’re hopeful to make a home in the space,” Cronkrite said. “We will come out with a bang next year.”

Late Nite is not giving up on this year, however. Trammell said program creativity for the year has been phenomenal.

According to Trammell, it will be a good semester for Late Nite. Advertising will be doubled during this semester, and a battle of the bands is scheduled for April 24 to 25, he said. There will also be a campus-wide capture the flag.

Students are encouraged to visit the Campus Life office, located across from the Kosher Kitchen in the Old Union, with any ideas.

“We are still here every weekend, and will have movies, games, crafts and food,” Cronkrite said. “First Fridays will be on every month except for April, a jam session with anyone who has an instrument March 7 and a photo booth this weekend. Keep an eye out for posters.”