On March 20, the Long Night Against Procrastination (LNAP) event took place in Sir James Dunn Hall (JDH). With over 100 attendees, the most student-transited building became the epicentre for last-minute assignments, stress management and free food.
A tradition that has been running for more than five years, LNAP brings together off-campus and on-campus students until midnight. With concurrent events such as trivia, therapy dogs and bingo happening in the three-story building, students are motivated to get work done or procrastinate even more.
Kath Hyndman, student success coach at St. Thomas University, has been organizing this event since she first came to STU in the fall of 2018.
This was Hyndman’s last time organizing the event.
“I think the goal is more so to provide students with an opportunity at a tough time in the semester to de-stress,” she said. “There’s not normally that much free food and that many different fun activities happening. So, I think there’s kind of just like a certain magic to it.”
STU has removed Hyndman’s student success coach position and she will leave the university in June.
STU will have a new Director of Student Success and Retention position held by Angela Finlayson.
Hyndman said it began as a once-yearly event, but it was increased to twice-yearly post-COVID-19 to boost on-campus activities.
She also said she has yet to hear anything negative about the event from students, as they always look forward to specific aspects — whether it’s bingo, the cupcakes from the downtown bakery, or the free printing available.
“Some students have even described it as [the] university’s Christmas.”
Ana Lucia Pavón, newly-elected STUSU president, also highlighted the significance of LNAP in the student community and Hyndman’s leadership throughout the planning.
“Kath is very passionate about what she does and no one knows STU as much as she does,” said Pavón. “She’s aware of not only the students but also the issues they face and the challenges that come with being a STU student.”
She believes LNAP is one of the few events on campus that always draws a high turnout and if it were to ever stop, it would have a “negative impact.”
“[LNAP] doesn’t disappoint in terms of student engagement. It doesn’t disappoint in terms of people engaging with it and being present,” said Pavón.
“With it gone, you will just see a decline in student engagement … because as a believer of engagement, I’m aware that engagement equals success.”
Alexa Navas, experiential learning program coordinator at STU, also helps coordinate activities in LNAP such as cookie decorating and trivia.
Navas highlighted the staff’s efforts to keep a cheerful environment throughout the night and the importance of supporting students, especially towards the end of the term.
“I think it’s that little final push of ‘Hey, we see all the hard work you’re doing and we want to be with you while you’re doing it,’” said Navas.
She also mentioned that the event serves as a gateway for students to engage firsthand with student services, even if they are unable to do so during regular office hours.
“We volunteered to help our colleague out. This is in no way required or anything, but people who are there want to be there,” she said. “I think it’s about fostering that sense of approachability that I think is key for students to engage with the services that are offered.”
Navas also said she admired Hyndman for her commitment to the event’s success and her continuous efforts to improve it each term.
“She’s the mastermind behind it. She has very detailed spreadsheets with the schedule of the duties for each one of us who volunteers.”
“Without her leadership, I don’t think it’ll be something that would magically happen,” said Navas.
Despite her leaving after this year, Hyndman said she would be “surprised” if LNAP didn’t continue in the future.
“I think it’s part of students’ identity and what we offer students,” she said.
Hyndman believes there are different ways of running the event and whoever is in charge of it next year will do their best.
“I would say continue to enjoy the university Christmas … change is okay. It’s hard. We generally don’t like it, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
Hyndman also urges students to keep the university spirit and engagement alive.
“They’re there for your success. They’re important. Enjoy them, participate. Take advantage of them. Go pet some dogs.”
