Clubs where you can learn to shoot a gun, protest abortion, dance like Fred Astaire and a variety of other student organizations came together to promote membership during USG’s Student Involvement Fair on Monday, Jan. 26 in the Lawrence Hall lobby.
“It’s a great start for the new semester, and I’d like to see all of the clubs moving forward just as USG will be doing,” said Ryan Deasy, junior intelligence and national security major, and USG parliamentarian.
The Student Involvement Fair is the result of a USG meeting with representatives of all the clubs during USG’s student forum. USG’s student forum attempted to foster a better relationship with student organizations and increase interaction between USG and clubs.
During the student forum, the clubs had requested a sign-up at the beginning of the new semester since there is always a drop-off in membership in January.
“I think it’s a good event for the clubs and the student body as a whole,” said Carl Zappa, III, senior broadcasting major and USG president. “The clubs asked for this event and we provided them with a venue to have better outreach to the student body.”
The improving relationship between USG and student organizations was made evident with the high turn-out of both clubs and students. Nearly 20 clubs camped out from 3:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. attempting to raise awareness and increase memberships. Both new and returning clubs utilized the event.
“I wanted to start the swing dancing club because I got really into it in high school and I met tons of people through swing dancing,” said Emily Berk, sophomore broadcasting major and president of the newly-approved swing dancing club. “It’s free, and you don’t need a partner. Swing dance lessons will be held every Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be an open dance following the lesson from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.”
Another club that is just beginning at Point Park University is an improvisational club, officially called the “Not Quite There Improv.”
“I did improv in high school and I was amazed that a school with such a focus on theatre and performing arts didn’t have an improv club,” said Alex Tracy, freshman cinema an digital arts major and one of the founders of the club.
