Tiffany Edmondson and
Diamond Jenkins
Blue & White Flash / Staff Writer
There are 101 ways to get involved on campus and Jackson State University students could find them all in one place.
The Division of Student Life hosted the annual Clubs and Organizations Fair in Ballroom B of the Student Center yesterday. Approximately 75 groups participated in the event.
Clubs and organizations play a vital role on college campuses. They allow students to explore their interests, meet new people, and have an impact on the community.
A variety of organizations were in attendance and those who attended were treated to information, cookies, candy, chips and the catering service’s infamous “sweet red juice”.
Clubs ranging from student academic organizations to greek and state clubs, guaranteed that students could find at least one organization that would fit their needs.
Student Government Association President Brian Wilks said that this year’s theme was “Choose One” and attending the organization fair will give people an idea of what type of club they would be interested in.
Wilks added that a lot of freshman students were asking questions about the clubs and organization fair and he encouraged them to get involved.
“The clubs and organization fair is keeping with our theme to ‘Choose One,’” said Wilks. “We want every student, especially freshmen and sophomores, to join at least one organization. We had good attendance.”
Hundreds of students made their way through the maze of tables as they were greeted by club members. Row by row, students lined up to sign the sign in sheets to become members of organizations.
The new kids on the block this year at the fair inclueded the Hype Squad and the SGA Street Team.These two new organizations have been pumped up to become the leading faces and support for student morale and participation on campus.
If you want to become a member of a christian organization, JSU has a few for you. The students that want to model, work with the campus television station or become a member of the various honor societies, there is an organizational home for you.
Willie Jackson, a junior political science major from Vicksburg, Miss., said, “I have been to this fair before and it has been beneficial for me. I joined clubs my freshman year and it helped me build connections with JSU.”
Jamario Baugh, a junior criminal justice major from Nashville, Tenn. said, “I think that it is beneficial for students to join clubs and organizations because they get a chance to meet different groups around campus to see what interests them while they’re students here.”
While some students think that participating in activities at Jackson State is beneficial now, others feel that it is critical for the future.
“Participation is important. Being a part of clubs and different organizations give a certain connection and bind you to the university,” said Alan Johnson, a political science and history major from Atlanta, Ga.
Recruiting members for Reformed University Fellowship (R.U.F.), Latasha Allston, an alumni psychology major from San Francisco, Calif. said, “Its accountability; being involved in your institution’s clubs and organizations is a way people can network. You have a chance to meet people and build new friendships.”
She added, “People that are involved seemed to have better grades and are more social. I would tell freshmen to attend this affair, because it is a way to get the experience of college and it is a way for them to really develop as students.”
It is still not too late to get involved on campus as a lot of organizations are getting underway with their responsibilities and plans for the semester. Right now is the prime time to join an organization and have your hands in what will happen this semester.
