Sip Happens, the weekly DUSA pub quiz, has recently marked its first birthday.
The quiz, run by Societies Officer and Dundee Uni Alumni Dani McFawns, has created a strong sense of community amongst students.
It returned again this academic year and has a record-breaking 188 people in attendance until now.
McFawns was inspired to start the quiz when she was a member of the Student Executive Team last year.
She had been a long-time complainer about the lack of nightlife, similar to what many students felt. When she had the opportunity to start something new, she grabbed it, and look at where Sip Happens has reached now; an integral part of campus life.
In discussion about the quiz, McFawns said:
“I love the community that the quiz has created, there are a few teams who come every single week, and they’ve become friends with each other and myself.
“They might have never met each other or become friends. I’m really happy and proud to be a part of that.”
Quiz participants are in consensus with this.
Jake and Andrew from Team Ragamuffins have been going to the quiz from the very first week, ever since it started, they said:
“The quiz gave us an opportunity to come together and meet each other regularly.”
“It’s a little ritual that really brought us together.”
“We’ve actually moved in together now. We’re flatmates!”
DUSA CEO, Chris Gourley said:
“At its core, DUSA is about creating experiences and bringing people together. Sip Happens captures that spirit perfectly. It’s inclusive, engaging, and most importantly, it’s built by students, for students.”
“We’re proud to be able to put on events like this for students, helping to foster a campus community that goes beyond academic life.”
Sip Happens has contributed greatly towards DUSA’s economy. McFawns continued,
“In these current times, one of the biggest impacts it has is on income.
“DUSA has a circular economy, and all the money spent in DUSA gets reinvested right in DUSA.”
“The quiz is one of the times of the week when we generate the most income in the Liar Bar.”
“It’s a consistently good source of revenue, which is more important now than ever.”
Sip Happens is not your standard pub quiz, it is unique in various aspects.
Every week, they partner with a university society to do a round. Sophie, Freya and Imran from Team Divas Don’t Lose said:
“The society rounds make you feel like you’re a part of the culture within the uni itself and not a separate entity from it”.
“Other pub quizzes can be intimidating in that regard because there are fewer people you’re familiar with”
Other quiz participants, who did not wish to be identified said:
“I feel like Dani actually makes an effort to know people, and it genuinely brightens up the whole atmosphere of the quiz”.
“It definitely feels like a personal touch is given to it, which is very appreciated”.
Sip Happens is unique because of its profound social impact.
Hundreds of pounds were raised for DeafLinks Dundee through the RAG Charity Quiz.
Through collaborating with societies weekly, it helps spread awareness about important matters.
Many may wonder- why is it called ‘Sip Happens’?
While brainstorming about silly pub quiz names, it was a very loose pun on ‘Shit Happens’, and it just stuck. Dani and hundreds of others are attached to it now.
Despite the current circumstances of Dundee University, students have found community and friendship with McFawns innovation.
The quiz happens every Tuesday in Liar Bar at 7pm. The Jute Journal will be hosting a guest round next week.
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