urgh State’s clubs and organizations can give students unfamiliar with the campus a chance to get involved.
The Involvement Fair will take place today from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Warren Ballrooms in the Angell College Center. PSUC SA President Michael Kimmer said not only will the Student Association occupy a booth at the fair, but 76 out of the 94 clubs on campus will, as well.
“I’m going to be there at some point to represent the SA and talk to students about the importance of getting involved,” Kimmer said.
Kimmer said “it feels awesome” to represent the SA this semester.
“When I was a freshman, I didn’t take as much initiative to get involved as I should have, and I feel like I can relate to them, and I feel like I can do a pretty good job helping to draw them in, (help) them feel more comfortable,” he said.
Kimmer said he predicts a good turnout for students interested in the SA, but at the same time, he said he doesn’t want to detract from other clubs.
“I hope that all the students go see everything that there is to offer,” he said. “It takes place for two hours. You can probably make it to most things.”
Kimmer said that, although, as of Tuesday, Feb. 9, there was a 81 percent projected attendance rate among clubs on campus, it was a possibility for more of them to sign up in the allotted time.
“We’re not totally done with the sign-up yet, so you never know,” he said. “More clubs might come in.”
Vice President of Clubs and Organizations Taeko Kelly said she has about 100 tables reserved for the event scheduled today.
Clubs such as Minor Adjustments, the Plattsburgh State Kickline, El Pueblo and the LGBTQ* Student Union are expected to attend the event.
She said every club on campus is usually at the involvement fair due to its size, along with Greek Life and event organizations, such as Shine On!
PSUC computer science major Roland Carignan is the president of Magic: The Gathering club and League of Legends club. He also is the SA senator for health and safety.
To him, getting involved on campus is more than academic discipline.
“It means making the community a better and more accepting place, along with more fun,” Carignan said. “We need to have a reason for everyone to want to participate, right?”
He said that making clubs fun and open is a good way to entice students to get involved.
Carignan, who described himself as a natural leader, said he doesn’t mind the extra work that comes with being president.
“I’m just the kind of person who does well when he needs to talk in front of people, or just get things done,” he said.
Magic: The Gathering Club Secretary Nick Deaguiar, said the Involvement Fair is important for clubs who don’t always get the opportunity to advertise and put themselves out there.
“The Involvement Fair, I do feel, is really important because it gives the clubs somewhere to actually get together and show off for people who are just walking around in the ACC,” Deaguiar said. “It gives them (an opportunity) to try and attract more people.”
Deaguiar, like Carignan, said that joining clubs is good for students who want to relax, take their minds off of their studies and have some fun.
“You get to meet new people,” Deaguiar said. “I have friends back home who go to community (college) and they feel like they’re missing out.”
Kimmer said being involved is “100-percent worth it.”
“You bond with your peers that you were in a club or organization with, and you also get some real-life experience out of these clubs and organizations, which goes beyond what you can learn in the classroom,” he said. “It’s one thing to learn something in a book, but it’s a whole different story to actually experience something for yourself.”
Email Tim Lyman at news@cardinalpointsonline.com
