For the first time in Cal State East Bay’s history, Associated Students Inc., in collaboration with Aramark, will host a spoken-word event at Starbucks.

On Jan. 13, students can grab a free drink equal to or less than $5 and take in performances by professional spoken-word artists. The event, Fraps and Flows, will be from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and is not an open event due to limited space.

It was Marc Cochran, ASI special events coordinator and ASI’s idea to bring professional spoken-word artists to CSUEB. Students will not perform at this event because Cochran felt that ASI should represent artists from all over the East Bay rather than just CSUEB students.

“Our backyard is Oakland… we need to make sure we know what’s going on in the East Bay, so that we can cater to the student demographic,” said Cochran.

He explained that the inspiration for this event was to bring something new to the university that connected with what’s going on in the area.  [mks_pullquote align=”left” width=”300″ size=”24″ bg_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#9b7722″]”Our backyard is Oakland… we need to make sure we know what’s going on in the East Bay, so that we can cater to the student demographic”[/mks_pullquote]

This will be the first event that ASI will host during the winter quarter and it will be followed by two more events that will occur during the year. ASI did not disclose the cost for the events yet.  

Campus events have been on the decline, according to the article “Where ‘da party at?” in the Oct. 15 issue of the Pioneer. The article stated that there have been a handful of events cancelled in the following years such as the Annual Block Party, 2013 homecoming dance and 2012 Bay Fest.

According to the website CSUMentor, there are 12,060 total undergraduates at CSUEB. An ASI newsletter from Fall 2014, stated students pay $43 each quarter to ASI as part of their tuition. That means, roughly $516,000 is given to ASI each quarter for student events activities and other student needs.

As for Fraps and Flows, students will be able to come and go as they please as long as they don’t disrupt the performance; wristbands will be given to students for access. There will be no free snacks provided besides coffee; everything else must be bought at the cafe.

The next ASI spoken word event will be on March 3. To RSVP for Fraps and Flows email [email protected].