By Spring Fever Week returns to Carroll College for its 11th annual event from Feb. 23–27, featuring educational and community-focused programming open to students, faculty, and staff.
The student-led event is organized through the Gender Studies Program, and this year’s programming ties to the capstone theme “American Masculinity,” which examines cultural expectations placed on men in the United States.
“Spring Fever has a variety of events organized by students in the Gender Studies Program to be informative and to help build solidarity in the Carroll community,” said John Ries, a theology professor.
Students say Spring Fever Week creates space for conversations that may otherwise feel difficult to initiate on campus. Kennedy Engstedt, a Helena native and junior with a minor in Gender Studies and double majors in psychology and sociology, said the event encourages open dialogue around topics often considered uncomfortable at Carroll.
“It creates intentional spaces to openly talk about sex and other topics that are often considered taboo,” Engstedt said.
“Data suggests that many Carroll students find topics related to sex and sexuality difficult to talk about,” said Jamie Dolan, a sociology professor. She added that Spring Fever Week provides an accessible, educational space for those conversations.
This year’s programming will include panel discussions, guest speakers, a film screening and trivia night. Guest speakers from outside the college will join students and faculty to offer a range of perspectives connected to the week’s theme.
Trivia night will return following successful previous appearances, emphasizing student engagement while incorporating educational content.
This year’s schedule includes a Safe Sex Seminar on Monday, Feb. 23, followed by a MindTap session on sex positivity and mental health and a panel on international perspectives on masculinity on Tuesday, Feb. 24 A movie night will take place Wednesday, Feb. 25, with a panel on religious perspectives on masculinity on Thursday, Feb. 26. The week will conclude with Sex Trivia on Friday, Feb. 27
More information about Spring Fever Week is available on the college’s website.
