Sorry I don't have much experience with this kind of photography. But what I think: end of november are somewhat darker and colder days, so people might not wear really colorfull clothes etc. When using a black background, you create an even more dark picture.


Of course the darker clothes are just a guess, but think about it. When you get a darker picture, you might want to get some more bright and colorful objects in the picture. Or some nice backlight..


About the pose itself. By the sound of it, your college wants a classic portrait. So you can't do anything crazy. In that matter try to get some harmony in the picture. If there are couples for example, try to get them to hold eachother or so. Let them show you "the love"


Try to get the happy family-feeling when you look at the picture. Good luck Joel


Keep in mind, it's just my opinion and I don't have much experience with group portraits..