Friday August 24, 2001 |

Positive response anticipated as result of annual fair

More than 100 student clubs and organizations will fill the UA Mall today to recruit students for their respective groups.

Kari Beardsley, manager at the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, said the department will sponsor a club fair with 140 University of Arizona clubs on display. She said there are currently 400 clubs recognized by the university.

"We provide the fair for clubs to introduce themselves to students to see if they want to join and also to get students involved in campus life," she said.

Beardsley said the fair will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the new food court on the Mall.

She added that the club fair takes place the first Friday of every new school year and that this year's fair will consist of the largest number of participating organizations.

January Terry, president of the University Activities Board, said she has participated in past fairs and feels this event provides a lot of exposure for the university's clubs.

"I think the fair is good because it's one cohesive time for all the clubs to be out there," Terry said.

She added that she recommends all of the school's clubs participate in the fair because it operates at the beginning of the school year and provides students with many options to choose from.

She added that UAB hopes to recruit people for the organization and has met several students who have expressed interest in the fair.

"I think the response should be very positive," she said.

Reid Mizue, architecture senior and former president of the Hawaii club, said the club fair allows students to see the wide range of cultural and sports clubs present at the university.

He said the fair is a good event for clubs because students are constantly walking by the Mall and wanting to "check out what's going on."

He said the students who visit the fair have the opportunity to look at pamphlets and flyers explaining what each organization is about.

"You get to see what the university has to offer," Mizue said.

He said participation in the fair is not only positive for the students interested in joining a club but also for the members of the club because they are able to share their interests with the student population.

Mizue offered advice to those club representatives who will spend the mid-day on the Mall.

"It's going to be hot, so bring an umbrella," he said.