CAMPUS: CABgazing offers evening event under the stars
By Matteo M. Fernandez
Bridge Staff Writer
Published Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024
With a mix including pizza and students painting small replica planets under the stars, the Campus Activities Board hosted its eighth September event: CABgazing. The Thursday, Sept. 26, activity took place on the Sen. Judith Zaffirini Success Center Green.
The event was hosted by CAB’s Malik Thompson, who was accompanied by fellow “cabbies,” members of the organization.
Sophomore psychology major Maggie Villegas paints a small sphere as a planet while using a small light during the CABgazing event Thursday evening, Sept. 26, on the Sen. Judith Zafirini Green.
CAB is split into three committees: Education and Heritage, Memorable Events, and Live and TAXI. Thompson is the current director of the Live and TAXI committee, tasked with hosting evening events.
“My group is advertised as an alternative to going out and drinking,” Thompson said. “Essentially, the idea is to keep people from going to the bars and driving around drunk.”
Initially, the plan was to work together with Planetarium Director Peter Davis to have a more traditional stargazing event, but scheduling conflicts prevented the proposed version of the event from occurring. CABgazing then became an outdoor painting event where the organization provided styrofoam balls and paint to decorate them with.
One of the students who attended was senior political science major Jorge Guajardo.
Two students hold up painted, small planets and stickers during the CABgazing event Thursday evening, Sept. 26, on the Sen. Judith Zafirini Green.
“I’m not somebody [who] likes to hang out,” Guajardo said. “For most of my time at TAMIU, I’ve been a fairly introverted person. It’s my final year here. I’m game to shed my skin.”
Guajardo compared campus life at TAMIU to other campuses, saying, “TAMIU doesn’t have a very permanent student body. By the time 5 [p.m.] hits, it’s already a dead school. So to be able to come out of class and have there be something for me to do here on campus is real cool.”
Although the event did not align with its original vision, it still accomplished its intended goal: bringing students together.
Thompson said students can “look forward to bigger and better events” and “October is definitely the month to be prepared for. CAB has a lot planned.”
