If you are a student member of an RSO, follow the Office of Student Involvement's event planning guidelines.

If you are from a campus office or department, contact Event Services for more information 413-538-2333.

The Office of Student Involvement manages and maintains the plug & play sound system, theatrical lighting, and projection systems in the Great Room. OSI also manages the sound system supplying the Blanchard Info Desk multi-zone PA. The systems are operated exclusively by Student Involvement Professional Staff, student Stage Crew, or by other contracted professionals who have been approved and oriented to the systems by the Student Involvement Technical and Event Production Manager for the purposes of a specific event.

Stage Crew services are generally offered free of charge to student organizations who have properly reserved their event space and registered their event with Student Involvement Office (meeting the 14-day deadline and requesting the desired services), and with departments within the Division of Student Life. Similar services are offered to departments that register their programs and advance the request details with at least two weeks' lead-time. Departments are billed for the student stage crew wages and a flat administration fee. Events requiring complex technical needs will need to communicate with the Technical & Production Manager at least 3-4 weeks in advance.

The Great Room is a DIY space and event hosts are responsible for setting up the furniture. Unusual or difficult set-ups in the Great Room or set-ups in other Blanchard locations, though typically not available, will incur costs.

Event hosts are responsible for restoring any furniture that they had moved immediately following the event. Ask a student Stage Crew or Info Desk employee if you need to be let into the furniture closet to store or retrieve furniture.

These guidelines have been drafted for the safety of all who use the space and for the preservation of the venue. They incorporate local and state fire code regulations, Mount Holyoke policies, and good common sense.

Keep ALL fire exits, fire extinguishers, fire alarm boxes, and exit signs clear of obstructions.

• Absolutely no open flames are permitted. (No candles or sterno are permitted unless in use by Dining Services professional staff).
• Theatrical smoke and fog machines are not approved for use.
• Absolutely no balloons, drones or other floating objects are allowed in the Great Room.
• Any specialty lighting must be approved by Student Involvement Event & Production Manager. Most string lights are approved. It is important that you understand the electrical requirements of these lights. As a general rule plug only three strands (of the 50 - 150 bulb type) together. After the third, begin with a new series of strings to prevent overloading of circuits.
• You must discuss the hanging of any decorations, banners, or scenery with Student Involvement.
• To affix decorations within the Great Room, the preferred method is twist ties or string tied to the railings so no residue is left behind. If taping is required, it is preferred that you use stage gaffers tape or masking tape. No tape is allowed on any painted surfaces.
• NO tacks, nails, screws, or staples may be used.

Professional contract custodial service is provided at no cost after events on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in the Blanchard Great Room. Certain high impact events on these nights as well as some events on other nights may incur custodial clean up charges. In addition, failure to comply with the sponsor clean up requirements noted below will incur additional charges.

Ask a student Stage Crew or Info Desk employee if you need to be let into the furniture closet to retrieve furniture.

• You are responsible for taking down all decorations immediately following the event.
• You are responsible for restoring any furniture you have moved immediately following the event.
• All event trash must be put in barrels.
• At the end of your event please make sure all windows and doors in the Great Room have been closed tightly.
• Report any building damage that you notice to the Info Desk immediately.