SPEC

Welcome to SPEC! The Social Planning and Events Committee (SPEC) has its roots as old as Houston Hall, dating back to 1896. At SPEC, we develop, organize, and plan campus wide social and cultural activities for the university community. Some of our notable events of the past year include Spring Fling, a concert featuring Young Thug, and a conversation with Baldwin.

SPEC is comprised of 9 subcommittees that include Film Society, Concerts, SPEC-TRUM (“To Represent Undergraduate Minorities”), Connaissance (to organize lectures and speakers), Pop-up, Jazz, Sound (for tech and productions across campus), Art Collective, and Spring Fling. Membership is not limited to a single committee; we encourage students to check out as many as they can. All SPEC Committees are application free – anyone may join at any time!

Art Collective

SPEC Art Collective aims to integrate the visual arts into the daily life of the University community and fulfill opportunities to experience the arts readily through collaboration with various University-affiliated and non-affiliated groups and individuals.

Concerts

SPEC Concerts organizes both the Fall and Spring Fling Concert, with nearly 10,000 students in attendance across the two shows. In the past, the Fall Concert has garnered the attention of up-and-coming acts such as Fun., The Neighbourhood, Skylar Grey, Mayer Hawthorne, Local Natives, Deer Tick, Rufus Wainwright, Howie Day, and many more.

Connaissance

SPEC Connaissance is the premier club on campus charged with bringing influential speakers to campus. Connaissance’s successful lecture series has recently included Serena Williams, Caitlyn Jenner, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Anna Kendrick, Alec Baldwin, and Vince Gilligan and is looking to expand this list with your help

Film

SPEC Film Society arranges free screenings of upcoming and recently released movies, hosts an annual speaker series, and provides a community for its members to discuss and engage in movie culture.

Jazz & Grooves

SPEC Jazz & Grooves organizes major concerts in the fall and spring and often hosts smaller performances. Past performers include Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Medeski Martin & Wood, Branford Marsalis, the Wailers, Miles Davis, the Charlie Hunter Trio, and the Josh Redman Quartet.

Pop-Up

SPEC Pop Up brings a variety of unique events to Penn’s campus. The committee is well-known for providing free cookies, crafts, and other treats to students throughout the year.

Sound

SPEC Sound provides, maintains, and rents out sound equipment in order to service student groups on campus.  Our committee members are trained to work as technicians for these events, using our inventory of high quality speakers and amplifiers. SPEC Sound also has funding allocated to subsidize equipment and labor costs for charity events.

TRUM

SPEC-TRUM (To Represent Undergraduate Minorities) puts on events varying from parties to concerts to comedy shows.  Past events have included concerts with Kanye West, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Meek Mill, Chance the Rapper, and more.  SPEC-TRUM also co-sponsors a variety of events with minority groups on campus, providing financial support and planning assistance.

Spring Fling

SPEC Spring Fling is in charge of the biggest college festival on the east coast.  Filled with performances, food, and fun, Spring Fling i sone of the most anticipated events of the year.  We’re an eccentric, social group of students and we welcome anyone who wants to help us plan for the best weekend at Penn.