College Mall invites students to ‘madness’

After being on campus for a full two weeks, Bloomington might feel a little bit smaller for first-year students. The Office of First Year Experience Programs has worked to make sure that new students know how to get involved.

But this week, the office’s programs extend beyond the bounds of campus.

“During Welcome Week, we do a lot to connect students to campus as their new home, but we’re also interested in connecting them to Bloomington and the community. With this event, students get out and see where Target is, where the movie theatre is. There are just so many things out there,” said Dan Murphy, assistant director of FYE.

FYE, IU Athletics and College Mall have joined together to put on what mall officials call “the easiest course you will ever attend,” also known as Mall Madness.

The event is focused to bring new students to the shopping center on East Third Street. It is 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, and students can take the 3 or 9 route Bloomington Transit Buses from campus to the mall.

Dena Marietta, director of mall marketing for College Mall, said this year is the third time the event was an official collaboration with IU. However, the event itself has existed since 2006.

Each year, attendance and interest has grown, Marietta said, especially now because of the partnership.

“This is the biggest time of year for the mall,” Marietta said. “Students are a great boost for the local economy and the community. We want to do what we can to bring them in and make them familiar with the mall.”

Various retailers from both inside and outside the mall will have booths set up throughout the evening to give away free samples and discount offers, as well as provide information to students about their services, Marietta said.

Visitors have the opportunity to learn about retailers within the mall, such as Blondie’s Cookies and Yankee Candle, as well as retailers located out in the community, such as The MacExperience and Chase Bank.

In addition to the promotional booths, the mall is sponsoring larger giveaways based on a prize drawing, including mall gift certificates, “The Ultimate Dorm Room” from Target and various items from mall retailers.

To enter the prize drawings, students will register at the food court upon arrival and pick up a punch card.

While walking through the mall, Marietta said, students will have their card punched by participating retailers. Once the card has 10 punches the student may enter the prize drawing.

Entertainment for the event will be provided by live bands — brought in by retailer Hot Topic — and a booth for local radio station WBWB 96.7 FM. The music and the event are free, as is registration in the giveaways.

“It’s a great way for people who are new to Bloomington to learn the layout of the mall and become familiar with the retailers we have,” Marietta said.

— Caitlin Ryan