Student organizations at Eastern Michigan University are known as a source of fun on campus, and Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, the leaders of campus clubs affirmed that reputation.
After a severe storm in the afternoon, RSO (Resident Student Organization) Kickstart was cancelled at 4:46 p.m., just minutes before it was scheduled to begin. Campus Life staff members did not feel it was safe for commuter students to travel to campus for the event.
RSO Kickstart is a yearly event that welcomes the executive boards of all student organizations on campus to network and connect, as well as to learn leadership skills.
Because the cancellation happened so last minute, the catered food for the event was already prepared and many students were already in attendance or on their way to the student center.
In a spark of spontaneity, Campus Life Coordinator of Engagement and Activities Juniper Bamrick decided to spin the ill-fated event and save the food from being wasted.
Student leaders were invited to enjoy the food as well as sing karaoke for what would have been the first hour of RSO Kickstart.
The impromptu event was a success, with dozens of student leaders from all kinds of clubs and organizations eating, getting to know each other and singing their hearts out. Original attendance of RSO Kickstart was expected to be more than 200 people across 100 organizations.
As the night wrapped up, Bamrick told attendees, “Thank you for coming to this impromptu free food and karaoke night. You guys said this was more fun than Kickstart would have been, but we had some great things planned.”
Campus Life plans on hosting RSO Kickstart again in the fall 2027 semester, as well as every following year.
