Graduate students who are too busy to find the time to date can get together for speed dating tonight on campus.
One hundred people are expected to attend the event, which is sponsored by the Ohio Union Activities Board, said Joel Pettigrew, a master’s student in higher education and student affairs and graduate assistant for OUAB. In addition to graduates, those in professional programs, such as medical and dental school, will also participate.
Pettigrew said the event is “fairly popular” on campus. It is held nearly every quarter, and around two hundred people have attended in the past.
“It always fills up fast,” Pettigrew said. “We try to fit as many people as we can based on room size.”
These attendees are mostly women, but Pettigrew said they balance out the genders for equal numbers.
The popularity of the event might be because graduates and professional students tend to spend all day working.
“We’re so often embroiled in our research and staying in labs that we just don’t get time to go out and truly be social,” Pettigrew said.
“Because of that, some of our students jump on an opportunity to do quick speed dating.”
Pettigrew said the events have been well-received and have spurred serious relationships, including a couple who had met during a speed dating event and are still dating a year later.
Though it may be popular with graduates and professionals, Pettigrew said there are no talks of an undergraduate speed dating event.
Some undergraduate students don’t see the need for it.
“I think that it’s a useful service for people that can’t get out, like grads,” said Tyler Hopkins, a fourth-year in art. “I don’t think that undergrads need it nearly as much, though. If you want to get a date, you don’t have to look that far.”
Hopkins said that graduates and professionals may have a harder time dating people in their environment because the constant time spent with them may get on their nerves.
Other students see different drawbacks.
Kevin Williams, a fourth-year in psychology, said he feels speed dating doesn’t leave much up to chance. He also said that going to a speed dating event guarantees a date but takes fate out of the equation, which may affect a relationship’s longevity.
However, dating this way does have its benefits. Hopkins said that speed dating is a good thing, giving busy people the chance to connect.
The event will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Faculty Club. It is paid for by the student activity fee. For more information, contact the customer service department at (877) 477-3328.
