Graduate students are often pressed for time, as they pursue their advance degrees and research projects within their respective fields. Accordingly, opportunities to meet students from all across the campus are rare. But some graduate student groups have come up with a unique, if not romantic way to bridge the gap — speed dating.

Speed dating is one of the biggest dating trends in the country; it is almost old-fashioned in contrast with other dating services that use videotapes or the Internet in matchmaking. However, there are numerous speed-dating companies that hold events throughout the world, but especially in the United States, since the format of speed dating caters to the busy American lifestyle.

The general concept of speed dating involves putting women and men in a room and pairing them briefly to test compatibility. Every few minutes, they change partners and start again. One of the great aspects of speed dating is that there are no strings attached. If there is an interest between two parties, they can choose to contact each other after the event.

Lyman’s Fourth Annual Speed Dating event will occur this Friday, Feb. 10 in the Lyman Atrium, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Out of the many who applied, between 40 and 50 (20-25 of each gender) graduate students from all departments will be selected to participate in successive four minute speed-dates. Each participant will receive a packet containing basic information about each of their dates, and contact information of each person’s matches will be given out at the end of the night.

Information will only be given out if both parties are interested following the date. This event provides an opportunity for single graduate students to meet in a fun, friendly environment with no pressure to exchange contact information if the spark is not mutual. Organizers warn: do not attempt to crash the event, because all the spots are filled beforehand.

“I think this event gives single graduate students from different departments an opportunity to meet in a fun, friendly environment with no pressure to exchange contact information,” says one of the event coordinators and fourth-year doctoral student in mechanical engineering Beverly Tang. “It alleviates the stress and redundancy of meeting people in bars and will hopefully bring together people who may not ever cross paths on this big campus.

Selection for the speed dating was mostly on a first-come-first-serve basis, with priority given to residents in Lyman, which houses 220 people on the corner of Campus Drive and Santa Teresa Street. Participants were chosen in a manner to promote diversity, a wide range of departments and interests.

“Past surveys/personal communications have shown the event to be pretty successful, and some have started dating people that they’ve met through the event, and many have become good friends or activity partners with those that share common interests,” Tang says. “Everyone always says that they have a great time at the actual event — it’s always pretty hectic and entertaining. Last year, [Escondido Village staff] came to observe our event so they could model their own Speed Dating event off of ours, and I know that Rains and the [Graduate Student Council] also hold similar events now.”

The Graduate Student Programming Board (GSPB) is putting on a speed dating event this Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. at the GCC. All the slots are already filled. There will be 20 males and 20 females at the event, and each male and female will have an opportunity to talk to one another for three minutes, as the women will stay seated and the men will change seats; wine will also be served.

“In holding this event, the GSPB hopes to provide yet another medium for graduate students to interact and get acquainted with fellow graduates students,” said the events coordinator, management science and engineering master’s student Eric Cheung.

If you did not have a chance to sign up for a speed dating event, do not fret. You can always meet your future spouse at this year’s graduate students Valentine’s Day party, which is expected to draw 500 guests. Dress to impress, this event will be held at the Graduate Community Center this Friday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and is free.

“I am very excited about this year’s grad Valentine’s party!” says event coordinator Andy Sadhwani. “[Organizers] have teamed up to make this annual event twice as big and twice the fun as last year’s party. There are door prizes for the ladies, lots of single students and fun drinks for all. Stanford ID and proof of age are required and students must be 21 and up.”