Favorite Things To Do
If you’re really bored and broke, check out the Lion’s Den, a pool hall/game room located in the Webb. (Sadly, however, there is no bar.) The Lion’s Den features tables for pool, ping-pong and fuseball, as well as arcade games. Though they are not free, they are pretty cheap.
On Monarch Way, there are a number of places to go, chill out and, on open mic night, hear some live music or poetry. If you’re brave, sign up. The Student Activities Council also sponsors ODU After Dark, a themed night of free games and free food, which lasts from 8 p.m. until 12 a.m. Also, on most evenings, student organizations hold events that are fun, informative, and free and give students a chance to meet and socialize with one another. There are also games to attend during the various seasons, and during the 2009-2010 year, ODU will bring back Monarch football, something that has the whole community buzzing.
On warm, sunny days, the beach is one of the most popular destinations for students. However, if you don’t have transportation, ODU has its own makeshift beach right at the edge of campus. Whitehurst beach comes with a gazebo, grills and a dock, as well as volleyball nets and sand so that students can create their own beach experience. Periodically throughout the semester, a student organization will hold a Webb jam, which is sort of like a school dance, only without the chaperones. For an end-of-the-year treat, the Student Activities Council (SAC) sponsors “Campus Chaos,” a day of fun and games that culminates with a series of discounted concerts. There are also step shows and probates for members of the various fraternities and sororities to attend, as well as an Outdoor Adventure Program that, as the name suggests, gives students the chance to participate in discounted or free outdoor adventures.
Want to check out a concert or listen to your favorite comedian? Old Dominion University’s Ted Constant Convocation Center has hosted entertainers including Dave Chapelle, N.E.R.D., Jazmine Sullivan, Paula Dean, 3 Doors Down, BB King, the Pixies, and Sarah McLachlan. Interested in cultural, social, educational or athletic events? PAW—programs all weekend—is sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs and hosts basketball games,
midnight movies, bus trips, health awareness walks, and lectures on diversity and art. Old Dominion University’s Art Department hosts several art exhibitions throughout each semester. Or, similarly, Old Dominion University’s literary festival, held each October, boasts a nice collection of
poets and playwrights. Each presentation is free for those interested in attending. There is also an animal film festival held during March that attracts Hollywood directors. It features balls, screenings and parties for free or discounted prices.