The time for Northern Kentucky University students to cash in their Thunderbucks is at hand as the annual Norsin’ Around Bid Bash is right around the corner.

This year’s Bid Bash will be April 28 in Regents Hall from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

At the bash, students have the opportunity to bid on prizes using the Thunderbucks they have accumulated throughout the year. Attaining these Thunderbucks wasn’t difficult; in fact all it took was being involved in campus events.

“Students earned Thunderbucks by attending campus events and having their student IDs swiped at the Norsin’ Around station,” Student Involvement Director Betty Mulkey said. Each event was worth 50 Thunderbucks on a student’s ID card.

This is the third year the Bid Bash has taken place, and organizers anticipate the biggest turnout yet.

“We believe this year we have even better prizes and feel we will have more students attending this year than ever before,” student involvement specialist, Tiffany Stroeer said.

The event, which is free to students, offers a wide variety of items for students to bid on. This year some of the prizes include palm pilots, gift certificates to various businesses, DVD players and electronics and vacations donated by local businesses.

“Students should come because they have the opportunity to win some really awesome prizes this year,” Stroeer said. “We are auctioning off a semester’s tuition, book scholarships and a trip to Pigeon Forge among other great prizes.”

Prizes are not the only reason to attend the Bid Bash, free food and drinks will also be provided for students.

“Last year, the Bid Bash was great,” said sophomore political science major Chet Purtilar. “It’s the end of the year, the students are in a good mood and everyone is out to have a good time.”

The Bid Bash encourages student involvement in campus events, which can sometimes be difficult in a mostly commuter school such as NKU.

“I love the concept of the Bid Bash,” Purtilar said. “More student involvement is something which NKU needs in order to grow as a school, and the Bid Bash gives students an incentive to be involved.”

Over the past decade, the university has seen a rise in enrollment as well as the development of more on-campus living. Yet for many students, the school is not seen in the same light as other more traditional colleges.

“I believe it is absolutely essential for NKU to promote more student involvement, that would encourage more students to choose NKU when it comes time to pick which college to go to,” Purtilar said.

More student involvement and the development of more student organizations along with the new student union and sports arena all help transform the image of NKU.

If students are unable to attend the Bid Bash, they can have someone bid in their place. However, they need to contact the Student Life Office no later than April 26, to let them know who will bid in the student’s place.

“We would love for everyone to come out for the Bid Bash, however you do not even need to be at the event to place a winning bid on one of the great prizes,” Stroeer said.

To see how many Thunderbucks have been accumulated on a particular card this year, email norsinaround@nku.edu.

No cash bids will be accepted since this event is put on by Student Life to promote student involvement in campus events.