Embarking on a New Adventure
Slideshow created by Alicia Alvarez: The Signal.
KELSEY BENOIT
THE SIGNAL
Students representing 75 different organizations on campus came together Sept. 4 in Atrium II for this semester’s Student Organization Expo.
The expo was hard to miss by anyone who entered the Bayou Building. It included many colorful tables where organization members were waiting to answer questions and converse with curious students. The sound of lively music, people chatting and the smell of popcorn being popped drew passersby into the atrium.
Different booths used different tactics to attract students including henna tattoos, giveaways, and games. The Student Life Office booth wanted to encourage active participation with their Plinko game. Once students went around to at least five booths, they were given a chip to drop down the Plinko board and receive the prize.
“There was a very good turn out, more this year than I have seen in past couple semesters,” said Patrick Cardenas, student life coordinator.
With just the Plinko game the Student Life booth had 200 plus visitors.
One of the organizations represented was the Communication and Digital Media Association (CDMA). Treasurer and secretary Jessica Brossack explained that she liked being able to tell people about the CDMA. She said that more people showed up than the group had anticipated, including students of all majors.
Katrina Torres, the Student Government Association rep for the Texas State Teachers Association, also had good things to say about the expo. Torres not only liked being able to spread the word and information about TSTA, but she liked that she was “able to meet other organizations and find out more about them.”
Getting involved on campus can have many benefits. Cardenas said research shows that when students are involved, they start to use skills from class outside of the classroom. With UHCL being a relatively small university and also a commuter school, it can be difficult to find that group of friends with similar interests. The Student Organization Expo offers one convenient location to find a group that fits well.
Carla Bradley, Digital Media Studies major, has reaped the benefits of being involved on campus. She was one of the students who helped transform the Communication Association into the CDMA. Bradley is the current President of SGA. Bradley said she enjoys the expos because the “SGA needs student voices and being able to reach so many is great.”
With the downward expansion of UHCL right around the corner, each area of the Student Life office is already planning for the future rise is student population.
“I definitely foresee a large involvement with current organizations as well as the start of new ones as we approach fall 2014,” Cardenas said.
Students who missed the Expo need not worry keep an eye out for flyers and information on future Student Life activities. Additionally, students can always stop by the Student Life Office and fill out an Interest and Involvement Form, or they can access the form online. On the form students can check the organizations they are interested in learning more about The Student Life Office will then pass the information on to the organizations and the organizations will then contact the student.
