Bingo has long been a popular student activity on the Blackburn College campus. Platinum bingo is even more popular. At the end of every semester, the special event takes place where instead of winning cheaper prizes like at ordinary bingo the Campus Activities Board (CAB) buys expensive electronic prizes such as playstations, televisions, ipods, etc. Bingo is so popular that the attendance can reach more than 50 students. At platinum bingo attendance can skyrocket to more than 200 students.
Director of Student Engagement and Resident Director of Jewell Hall Alondra Olvera is in charge of organizing bingo and stated, “I enjoy seeing the students enjoy platinum bingo and bingo. I think it’s one of our more popular events on campus and I think it’s one of the events that brings students together.”
Although a popular event, there are only two platinum bingos a year – one at the end of each semester – and regular bingos have dropped from being a monthly event to only being played once or twice a semester. Even though the number of bingo events has decreased, students have varying attitudes about them.
Senior justice administration major Victoria Zimmerman loves bingo on campus and said, “I like it. It is a great way to take a break. And I personally could never afford the prizes I have won. Like a surface tablet and keyboard. That’s like $500. They should keep platinum at the end of the semester. It’s something to look forward to. The smaller ones are nice to have sprinkled, especially the ones that have gift cards, laundry supplies or food.”
Sophomore professional writing major Kara Aldridge-Folger is not too concerned with the future of bingo on campus. She said, “I’m indifferent by it. If I had to pick one over the other I would say I mostly dislike it. I’ve never won. Neither have my friends. We like the prizes, but we feel like we don’t stand a chance when we see the same people shouting bingo and winning.”
Olvera added, “I think bingo, while a great way to get students together, should be limited to make it feel like a special thing. Like Platinum Bingo is great at the end of each semester because it’s the last hoorah where we’re finishing up the semester. We’re getting together in a large group but I don’t necessarily think it should be more than it already is.”