Set Friday at FAMU used to be the one day students would clear their schedules, throw on their best fits, and vibe in the middle of campus with food, music, and culture.
But lately? The excitement just hasn’t been the same—and everybody’s talking about it. So, what happened?
Ryanne Daniels, a second-year social work student, is a familiar face at Set. For her, it’s still a vibe, but she understands why people feel like it’s lost its spark. “Set has gotten kinda repetitive. If you already know what to expect, it’s easy to feel like you’re not missing anything,” she said. “And if the energy’s not there or it’s not promoted right, folks won’t be excited to go.”
One of the most significant changes students and alums point out is the location. Set used to be on the actual Set—right in the middle of campus. Now, it’s at the amphitheater, which has made things feel more structured and less free-flowing.
DaCari Taylor, a FAMU alum, remembers the difference clearly. “When we moved to the amphitheater, it was a shift. Greeks get told not to stroll on the stage, but the ground doesn’t have enough space either,” he said. “Sometimes people would just stop in the middle of a stroll out of frustration. It feels like students don’t have a say anymore.”
DaCari also said students used to make time for Set—like it was a weekly event you didn’t want to miss. “It wasn’t just about partying; it was about seeing everybody and feeling the energy of FAMU. The new setup separates the DJ and crowd from vendors, and the whole vibe feels split.”
Still, there are people like Ryanne who keep showing up every week. “It’s the culture for me. You see familiar faces, get a little break from class and just vibe,” she said. “Plus, I’m in CAB, so sometimes we work the stage. But even then, you see people just being themselves, which makes it worth it.”
So what can FAMU do to bring back the magic?
“More variety,” Ryanne suggested. “Switch up the DJs, let students lead performances, make themed Sets, and promote it earlier on social media. Let students feel like it’s their space again.”
And DaCari had one final thought: “Students want to show up and do show up when they feel the need. It’s all about figuring out what the missing pieces are.”
Set Friday isn’t gone. But maybe it just needs a little remix.