By Chloe Freed
Staff Writer
With the new school year officially here, freshmen and returning students anxiously search for opportunities to get involved on campus.
That’s why 221 clubs and organizations lined several open spaces in the Brower Student Center on Wednesday, Sept. 6, for the Student Involvement Fair, with laptops ready for prospective students to enter their emails and receive upcoming meeting dates.
Students made their rounds visiting various tables hearing from organizations including Greek Life, multicultural clubs and sports teams.
For new students, like freshmen and transfers, the large number of opportunities can be stressful and intimidating.
“It is a little overwhelming, but cool because there are a lot of things I didn’t know were here,” said Abby Spencer, a freshman deaf education major. “I am interested in Greek Life and didn’t know half of them until coming here.”
Rachael Reinke, a sophomore communications studies major, encourages students to join the Association for Music Production and Discussion.
AMP’D focuses on musical discussions, holds workshops for music programs such as Logic and allows students to utilize studio hours to record music.
“Prospective students seemed interested,” Reinke said. “I hope through this fair they can get a gist of what our club’s about and stay with us for a long time.”
AMP’D was one of many organizations present that allow students to branch out amongst their peers and engage in activities that are related to their interests.
Abby Bucci, a sophomore open options humanities and social sciences major, is a member of the International and Domestics Students Organization, a club that allows students to be exposed to new cultures and students from all over the globe.
“I think a lot (of students) are interested, especially those who don’t get exposed to a lot of cultures,” Bucci said. “We focus on emphasizing on making friends, it is really chill.”
Along with the clubs that return each semester for the fair, a new club that made its first appearance was the College Diabetes Network, founded by its co-presidents Hannah Anolik, a sophomore public health major, and Julie Burkett, a sophomore biology major.
Hoping to attract new members, Anolik showed enthusiasm with her table covered in CDN pins and stickers.
“It’s exciting and overwhelming,” Anolik said.” “There’s a lot we want to do, this is a big step to get big. People who don’t have diabetes can join. We call the people who support diabetes advocacy without diabetes ‘Type 3.’ Anyone is welcome to join.”
With many clubs and opportunities on campus, students at the College have the ability to find where they belong, creating friends they will have for the rest of their collegiate career.
