Students, staff, and faculty walking anywhere within earshot of the university “green” would be hard-pressed not to notice the music and colorful tables set up for the Student Government-hosted organizational fair on Tuesday, March 3.
The purpose of the fair was for student organizations to distribute promotional literature and souvenirs in an effort to recruit new members and spread awareness of their purpose.
One organization trying to recruit was the Student Ambassadors.
“This year we’re hoping to get a lot of new members,” said Carolina Pellum, president of the Ambassadors, a civil service organization and one of TAMIU’s oldest clubs.
Pellum also said organizational fairs are a blessing because many clubs experience lulls in membership and participation from time to time.
“We hope with new people we can come back and be known again,” she said.
The Ambassadors showed off their mascot, Widdles, a small stuffed reindeer in the group’s trademark burgundy blazer and tie. They named Widdles after former student ambassador and current Student Government Justice Oscar Widales.
However, Widdles faced stiff competition from another mascot.
Penny Penguin accompanied the Kappa Delta Chi. Though the official rush period for the community service-oriented sorority passed, the sisters of “K.D. Chi” wanted to let students know who and what they are. “Our values are integrity, honesty, unity, and leadership,” said sorority President Melinda Esquivel.
“Our main goal is to ensure the graduation of all our members. Your sisters are like your support group,” she said.
Greek life was also represented by Delta Psi Alpha, a multicultural co-ed fraternity.
Delta Psi’s president, Frank Gonzalez, espoused the benefits of Greek life.”I’ve seen the positive effects it (fraternity life) has on its members. It helps people network and builds leadership skills. Ours in particular stresses community service and diversity,” said Gonzalez.
The TAMIU Anime Club also has diversity on its mind, according to its secretary, Jessica Oviedo.
“Yes, we get together and watch movies and discuss [Japanese] animation. But we also talk about the culture in general. We talk about how a person in Kyoto has a different outlook from, say, a person in Tokyo.”
Oviedo, Treasurer Olivia De La Garza, and President Ricky Guerrero showed off their artistic talent by drawing, on large sheets of butcher paper, characters inspired by Japanese animation.
The event’s chief organizer, Senator for the Sanchez School of Business Alejandra Avila, said she considered the event a success.
“I think the set up helped out a lot. Last year it was held in the gym, so nobody visited. Nobody saw it. Having it out [on the green] was an improvement,” she said.Avila also noted Student Government’s commitment to a vibrant campus culture.
“The [student body] senate decided to make this our project because we know how important it is for our clubs and student groups to be active,” she said.