Club members in colorful booths lined the walkway outside the library as they pitched the benefits of their organizations.
The interaction between club members and passerby students talking and spreading the awareness of the existence of these student groups is what club rush is all about.
“Club rush gets people involved and gives back to the community,” Walter Mendez, Inter-Club Council president, said. “There are different clubs of varying interests for people to see what options are available and to network.”
Each booth displays the events and advantages of being a member in its particular club with some having buckets of little treats to entice people.
“You want to advertise your club,” Sam Hoang, fundraiser chairperson for Alpha Gamma Sigma, said. “Let people know what you are about.”
The challenge for every club is to draw in those people who have little interest in joining a club or have no awareness of its existence. Tricks and treats are then used to make the prospect of joining whatever club, be in community service or just a similar interest, much more attractive.
“People usually do not take the initiative toward joining a club,” Hoang said. “But with this event, it draws people in because they get curious.”
The successes of these advertisements of sorts have benefited the membership numbers for clubs each year and show no signs of slowing down this year.
“I had a lot of people getting apps and some want to pay dues right on the spot,” Hoang said.
Clubs share the advantages of being a member by explaining that it helps applications and with transferring.
“One benefits is trying to transfer as well as an opportunity for people to become leaders and that is what universities look for,” Selma Sehoeic, member of psychology club said. “And you meet new people.”
Some clubs use just their ideas and theme of the club to lure students into joining, instead of using treats.
“We’re straight-forward, if you’re interested you are interested,” Maggie Aulet’leon, member of psychology club, said. “We’re not trying to not put candy out there as an incentive to get people to come, its just if you’re genuinely interested, you can sign up.”
People who do not join clubs but still look around club rush cite reasons such as lack of time or passion, some state that their stay at EC is short and so joining a club loses its meaning.
“They seem nice, but I really do not have time,” Bryan Camarillo, undecided, said. “I also work part-time.”
The event spreads the news of clubs with various interests for those who have similar interest and want an organization of peers doing something they like.
“This gives students a place to meet with peers of like interests to talk about their passions and knowledge,” Adrian Castillo, member of Psychology club, said.
Club rush helps both students and members because it gives a place for the people interests to gain publicity.
“Well, clubs benefit because you meet a lot of people who ordinarily do not know about the clubs and it gets your name out there,” Raymond Huff, member of Christians on campus, said. “Students gain a little exposure because aside from classes they can come and see that it is not all about studying and it might broaden their spectrum.”
