Spring involvement fair draws unusual number of students

Voices echoed across the hallway between the HUB Fishbowl and Ballroom as students asked presidents and treasurers what opportunities their student organizations could provide them.

Students shuffled across the floor, bumping into each other, as they investigated tables with banners draped across them, and signed their names to new membership lists.

The Student Involvement Fair was a busy place on Friday, busier than many organizations anticipated.

"There are more students here than I expected," said Lisa Spoharski (sophomore-animal biology), a representative of Alpha Phi Omega. "There are usually less people here in the spring."

As noisy and crowded as the HUB was, it was nothing in comparison to the usual turnout of the Fall Semester fair.

"I think everyone pretty much got involved last semester," said Scott Martin (sophomore-animal biology), a representative of the Penn State Roller Hockey Club.

There is one involvement fair at the start of the Fall Semester and one at the start of the Spring Semester.

Beth Miller (junior-administration of justice) had never attended an involvement fair before and was surprised that any students attended.

"I didn't think people got involved anymore," Miller said.

About 140 student organizations set up tables to entice new members into joining their organizations. The purpose is to help students find out more about organizations and sign up for those interesting to them.

"(The fair) is good because students can hear about organizations from people in the organizations," said Tauffaui Wilkes (junior-computer science), a representative of Caribbean Students Association.

Darcy Ziegler (senior-animal biology) agreed that the fair was informative.

"I've been (here) before and it's been really helpful," Ziegler said. "I'm looking for (an organization) which is geared toward my major."

The Involvement Fair was sponsored by the Office of Volunteer Programs and Services, the AT&T Center for Service Leadership, the Student Organization Budget Committee and the Dr. Martin Luther King Commemoration committee.