By Vicky Nguyen
The Spring 2018 Club Rush began Tuesday in the E3-Quad, where student organizations wishing to welcome new members promoted themselves to students.
A scavenger hunt game encouraged students to meet with many clubs by allowing them to redeem signatures collected from different booths in exchange for small prizes, such as candy and keychains.
Popcorn and music by a DJ were also provided at the event. “It’s a fun event that will help clubs get more members,” ASU Volunteer Aaron Wong said. Wong helped with the décor of the event and was advertising the scavenger hunt.
“[Club rush] helps promote clubs that people might enjoy, but they don’t know about. This is the best time to get informed about clubs,” Wong said.
The Beauty Club, a new club intended for make-up enthusiasts, also made their first club rush debut. The President of Beauty Club, Berenice Gonzales, explains she co-founded the club with Vice President Rachel Galvan, because there is currently no cosmetology program at ELAC.
Gonzales hopes to use the club as a springboard to eventually start a cosmetology program.
Captain of the cheerleading squad, Stephanie Cruz was at a booth, promoting try-outs. According to Cruz, this has been their first club rush they attended in several years, because they were not chartered. “It’s helping us to get members for our team and get funding,” Cruz said.
ASU President Monique Hernandez encourages students to come out to club rush and become involved on campus. “I want it to create more student involvement and want us to take advantage of the beautiful campus. We should take advantage of what we have,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez says that being more involved has helped her academically, forcing her to stay on top of her studies, and she believes that it is important for students to become invested in school activities outside of class.
“It really helps them feel that they are a part of something. ELAC is not just a college. And for students who are here for longer than two years, it could be a second home,” Hernandez said.
Club rush will continue until Thursday. Planned performances include acts by the cheerleading squad, MUSE Club, Speech and Debate Club, and the basketball team.
Organizations promoted at club rush must be chartered by ASU and can receive support from ASU funds.
Students who wish to get involved in a future club rush should contact, ASU Executive Vice President Debbie Lopez, Chief Delegate Daveed Lopez or stop by the student activities office.