Cal State Fullerton’s COMM 497T class assembled a flea market at the Fullerton Arboretum.
by Annisa Charles
On Apr. 6, communications students invited small businesses to the Fullerton Arboretum to the Garden Flea Market to sell their items, ranging from art prints to jewelry to pottery. Titan Radio was set up at the event, providing music for everyone to listen to as they relax and enjoy the day.
Cal State Fullerton’s COMM 497T class assembled a flea market at the Fullerton Arboretum. This was the first time this event had taken place, but it did so well that this class will become an annual spring-time class offered.
Jasmine Meertins, assistant communications professor, who teaches the COMM 497T: Event Planning and Management (Arboretum) class, said this class is to provide students with real experience with an actual client; their real client being the Fullerton Arboretum.
Apr. 6 was one of the first warm and sunny days after cold, rainy ones. It was a perfect day to walk around the beautiful arboretum garden, get tasty burgers from Baby’s Burgers food truck and buy something new from one of the vendors. The first 100 people who showed up would get free lunch from Baby’s Burgers.
“They came for the burgers, stayed for the beauty,” said Meertins.
Meertins said she is proud of her students for communicating with potential vendors and people outside the class, ultimately gaining valuable outreach experience. The course teaches students how to work with others, learn all the different details that go into event planning and experience event planning from beginning to end.
The most critical lesson Meertins wants students to learn and take away from the class is how to problem solve and take the initiative because this is what most future employers look for and appreciate.
Meertins said the Fullerton Arboretum was pleased with the turn-out, saying they have, “never seen so many people at the arboretum.”
COMM 497T: Event Planning and Management (Arboretum) is an excellent class for those who work well under ambiguity and uncertainty, where the assignment is being constructed weekly as the semester proceeds, said Meertins. She said the students who want to see how the event planning industry works and are OK with an untraditional class structure should consider adding this class to their Spring 2024 schedule.
