Team building for university staff and faculty

Team building for university staff works best in the calm weeks before fall and spring classes, on one call that every campus and remote colleague can join. We run hosted games and workshops, kits shipped to each home, and in-person games on campus in 17 US cities, payable by P-card or PO.

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University staff in a campus seminar room playing a hosted game with remote colleagues on a wall screen

Higher education team building runs on the academic calendar

Staff events land in the few weeks when classes aren't running. Here is the 2026 to 2027 year, with the dates to book by. Check your own academic calendar for exact term dates.

  1. December 2026

    After finals, before the winter closure

    For a staff party on Thursday, December 17, 2026, book a hosted game by Thursday, December 3 and a kit workshop by Monday, November 23, before Thanksgiving. Ideas on virtual holiday parties.

  2. January 2027

    The department retreat before spring classes

    For a retreat on Tuesday, January 12, 2027, book by Friday, December 18, 2026. Campus offices close over the break, and kits need 3 weeks to reach every home.

  3. May 2027

    Staff appreciation after commencement

    Once grades are in and the graduates are gone, thank the people who ran the year. Book by mid-April. More on employee appreciation events.

  4. June to July 2027

    Summer, for staff who work year-round

    Many faculty are away, so summer suits events for administrative and operations staff only. Calendars are open and rooms are easy to get.

  5. August 2027

    The fall retreat, before students arrive

    The busiest planning window of the year. Book by late July: 2 weeks for a hosted game, 3 weeks for kits, 4 weeks for anything branded.

Activities for university staff, by occasion

Every session runs about an hour with a live host or instructor, and prices are live from our catalog.

One call for every campus and remote colleague

A live host runs the game on one video call: Zoom by default, or Teams, Google Meet or Webex on request. Branch campuses, remote staff and a room on the main campus all play together.

A workshop for the department retreat

One practical topic and an expert facilitator, for the hour of a retreat that should leave people with something to use.

Kits for faculty and staff appreciation

A box goes to each person's home, then an instructor leads the session on video. Continental US shipping is included; Alaska, Hawaii, US territories, Canada and international addresses cost extra.

In person on campus

A host brings everything to your event room or student union ballroom and cleans up after. Games run in 17 US cities and painting in 30. Book about 2 weeks ahead.

More skill sessions on team building workshops, and every format on all activities.

A half-day department retreat agenda

For the week before classes start, with part of the department in the room and part on the call. Keep your own planning work in the morning and let a host run the rest.

  1. 9:00

    Coffee and a 10-minute icebreaker

    One easy question per person, room and remote alike. Pick one from our icebreaker questions.

  2. 9:15

    The semester's priorities

    Your own agenda: enrollment, budget, the projects that land this term.

  3. 10:45

    Break

    Fifteen minutes. Remote colleagues stay on the call.

  4. 11:00

    Hosted workshop, 60 minutes

    A facilitator on the room screen, with remote staff joining from their own laptops.

  5. 12:00

    Lunch

    Order in, or let people step away from screens.

  6. 1:00

    Hosted game, 60 minutes

    Mixed teams of room and remote players, so the main campus doesn't play against everyone else.

  7. 2:00

    Close

    One change each person will make this semester, then send everyone home early.

From one office to the whole university

This page is for faculty and staff events, not student programming. The group you are planning for decides the format.

  • 8 to 30 people

    A department or office

    Registrar, advising, IT, a single academic department. One hosted game or kit workshop is the whole event.

  • 50 to 200 people

    A college, division or school

    A hosted game for the whole group on one call, or an in-person game in the event room.

  • Several campuses

    Staff spread across sites

    One video call reaches every site. With a room on the main campus plus remote people, see hybrid team building.

  • Up to 1,000 people

    University-wide staff day

    Several activities at once, so people pick a track. See multi-event programs.

Prices for a department, a division and a staff day

Hosted games are one package price for the group. Kits are priced per person, because everyone gets a box.

Total price for the whole group, by headcount
Trivia with a Twist!Hosted virtual game20 people$97560 people$1,415150 people$2,075
Candle MakingKit workshop, shipped to each home20 people$1,73960 people$4,459150 people$10,579
Team TriviaIn person on campus20 people$1,75060 people$2,200150 people$2,650

Totals for the whole group from our live catalog prices. Kits to Alaska, Hawaii, US territories, Canada and other countries cost extra. Need a quote for a requisition? Get a free quote.

Paying by P-card or purchase order

University purchasing has rules. Both common routes work, and you see the full price before anything is charged. Check your procurement office's limits first.

  • P-card. Book online with a purchasing card. A 50% deposit holds the date, and the rest is charged when you finalize your headcount.
  • Over your card limit? Switch to a purchase order instead of splitting the charge. A free quote gives procurement a written price for the requisition.
  • Purchase order. A PO booking gets an invoice instead of a card charge.
  • Many departments. Each one can book from a free team portal. The enterprise program adds catalog approval, SSO, a monthly budget per department and one monthly invoice.

Team building for university staff: questions

What is good team building for university staff?

An hour with a live host, timed for the calm weeks before fall or spring classes start, on one call that every campus and remote colleague can join. Hosted games, skill workshops and kit workshops all work; pick by the occasion.

How much does team building for university staff cost?

It depends on the format and your headcount. Trivia with a Twist! for 60 staff is $1,415, and a Candle Making kit workshop for a 20-person department is $1,739, with continental US shipping included. You see the full price before you book.

Can we pay with a P-card or a purchase order?

Yes. Pay online by card with a 50% deposit to hold the date, or book on a purchase order and get an invoice instead of a card charge. If the total is over your card limit, ask for a quote and use a PO.

When should we book a department retreat?

For a retreat in the week before spring classes in January 2027, book by Friday, December 18, 2026, before campus closes for winter break. For an August 2027 retreat, book by late July. Hosted games need about 2 weeks and kits about 3 weeks.

Can staff on several campuses and remote staff join one event?

Yes. Hosted games run on one video call, Zoom by default or Teams, Google Meet or Webex on request, and kits ship to each person's home. A room on the main campus can join on the big screen.

Can you run an event on campus?

Yes. Team Trivia, Feud Night, Blitz-Speed Trivia and Music Bingo run in 17 US cities, and painting workshops in 30 (see in-person events). The host brings everything; you provide the room, tables and chairs, and a screen for the games.

What are good faculty and staff appreciation event ideas?

A kit workshop like candle making or coffee tasting shipped to every home, a hosted game for the whole division, or a painting workshop in the event room. Hold it after commencement in May, when people can relax.

Keep planning

Plan your next staff event

Send us your date, headcount and campuses. You get a plan and a price within 24 hours, ready for a P-card or a PO.

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