After several months of false starts, delays and dead ends, planning for Serendipity 2011 is starting up again. Excitement and anticipation were palpable at the Serendipity Committee meeting on Jan. 19.

“I’m really pepped up about this,” said senior and Campus Activities Board president Justin Shreve. “I’m picturing everything Guilford has to offer, all condensed into one weekend.”

Shreve’s enthusiasm for the annual festival — scheduled for Mar. 24-27 — was shared by senior Hannah Kennedy, CAB chair of the Serendipity Committee.

“This is an opportunity to brand ourselves,” said Kennedy. “Serendipity will be a sample of our talents and interests. We’ll be showing off who we are as Guilford students.”

Serendipity’s 2011 tentative schedule of events reveals the eclectic interests of Guilford’s student body. Thursday evening will have dinner on the lawn and a movie, while Friday night features the return of hypnotist Robert Channing. Other events in the works for Friday include a black light dance party and a midnight breakfast.

Events planned for Saturday include a street fair with local vendors and carnival attractions. A day of music will culminate in the traditional concert, this year featuring a performance by The Cool Kids with opening band, Cloud 9.

Students were polled in the fall to determine the headliner for Saturday’s performance. Director of Student Leadership and Engagement Erin Fox explained that though the rap artist Currency was ranked highest by the polls, the Serendipity Committee ended up selecting The Cool Kids for financial reasons.

“We sent Currency an offer, and they sent back a list of additional requests,” said Fox. “Acceding to these requests would have caused serious budget overage, which could result in having to cancel other events. Currency would not negotiate, so we decided to move forward with the planning process.”

“Currency cursed at our negotiator,” said Kennedy at the Committee meeting. “They were unprofessional, un-Guilford and unacceptable.”

According to Fox, The Cool Kids offered to play for less so that they could bring their own opener, Cloud 9.

“Financially, we couldn’t have asked for a better experience (with The Cool Kids),” said Kennedy. “They have this really good vibe.”

“Guilford is a very giving community, and The Cool Kids reflect that,” said Fox. “I’m looking forward to working with them and to their performance.”

Although the concert is usually considered the highlight of Serendipity, according to Fox Serendipity extends beyond this one event. .

“Serendipity is the defining event of spring, and to some extent, of Guilford,” said Fox.

“As recently as few years ago, it was more of a music festival,” said Shreve. “We’re trying to move on from that.”

The street fair and other events offer additional opportunities for students to participate in the Serendipity festivities. The Serendipity Committee wants to encourage more student involvement in planned activities, with an emphasis on one of Guilford’s core values.

“Our primary motivation (with Serendipity) is community,” said Fox. “Not just building community with the events, but sustaining it by being responsible for ourselves and each other.”

“We want students to have fun and be safe,” agreed Steve Moran, assistant director of student leadership and engagement.

Kennedy spoke about collaborating with Campus Life and Public Safety to develop a campaign that would reach out to students to encourage healthy and appropriate behavior. Senate president Dana Hamdan suggested especially reaching out to first-years who have never experienced Serendipity before.

“We want to encourage students to come out and enjoy the events, but we want everyone to be responsible,” said Hamdan.

The next two months will see a flurry of activity as Serendipity nears.

“It will take a lot of hard work to accomplish our goals,” said Moran. “CAB and the Serendipity Committee have done a fabulous job so far, but there is still a lot to be done.”

Moran encourages involvement from community members outside of CAB and Senate. Shreve and Kennedy agree that participation from other student groups and individuals will be integral to this year’s Serendipity.

“We really want to have all of Guilford involved,” said Shreve. “Serendipity is a chance for us to focus on and celebrate our community.”

“This is a time for the campus to celebrate who we are,” said Fox. “It’s a weekend when everyone stops to appreciate Guilford.”