The Simpson Campus Activities Board (CAB) has a lot in store for students this school year, including some events made possible with the new Kent Campus Center (KCC).

“It has so much more space and that was a significant challenge to programming for things before,” Assistant Director of Student Activities Sarah Harl said. “We’d have a really cool idea but we didn’t have a place to do it.”

During construction to the student center, CAB had to rent equipment and convert Cowles or Hopper to host concerts. This became time consuming and costly.

Now, with the black box performance room being added in KCC, Harl says the music line-up will improve as money will be allocated to more “big name” performers rather than setting up the venue.

Music performances coming to campus this year include the Austin Renfroe Trio, David Ramirez, Preston Pugmire and potential major concert that CAB is finalizing a contract with. This performer will be announced to the student body soon.

CAB members hope having bigger performances more than once a year will keep students coming to events.

“Ultimately the goal is to keep people on campus, keep them interacting with everyone else and making their college experience worthwhile,” CAB Co-President Andrew Dexter said.

Music concerts aren’t the only performances students can look forward to. CAB will continue Hump Day Ha’s this year and have several comedians scheduled such as Pete Lee, Carlie & Donni, J. Chris Newberg and Grant Lyon.

“It’s probably one of the strongest comedian line-ups I’ve seen in awhile,” Harl said.

Other events that are more interactive for students will be held this fall, including a Black Light Party, Free Stuff Friday, Bowling Night in Des Moines and a Text Scavenger Hunt.

Homecoming week will be full of CAB planned activities such as a Homecoming Kickoff, Yell Like Hell followed by Dance Like Hell and an end shows by Midwest Dueling Pianos.

Reoccurring events that will be held monthly include Creative U, a pottery night and Bingo, where CAB will hand out many prizes to winners. Each weekend CAB will provide discounted late night movie tickets at the Indianola Paramount Theatre with a valid student ID.