Involvement Fair brings students extra-curricular opportunities

A big yellow balloon with red ribbons floated in the sky yesterday afternoon. The ribbons pointed to the IMU circle drive, where a disc jockey's music mingled with the chatter of several students holding flyers and candy.\nWednesday's IU Student Involvement Fair introduced students to more than 110 student groups and organizations. The event took place in the IMU circle drive from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and was sponsored by the Union Board ILife Committee. \nShort for Indiana Life, the group is committed to creating and maintaining IU traditions, and the fair itself has been a tradition for more than 20 years, members said. \nSenior Tony Bruno, director of the ILife Committee, said most groups on campus see the fair as a "premiere way" to introduce students to their organizations. He said students of all ages usually attend.\n"It's a great opportunity for ambitious freshmen to get off on the right foot, but also for upperclassmen who haven't taken advantage to find a way that they can join groups," he said.\nFreshman twins Erin and Erika Axley said they noticed the event while walking back from classes. Erika Axley said that the music made the event more attractive. The two picked up information from the dance team, Connexion and IU Dance Marathon. Both registered for the marathon at the fair.\n"I really want to get involved in more leadership opportunities," Erin Axley said.\nBoth freshmen said they hadn't joined extracurricular activities yet but really want to participate in student groups, so they were glad to look around the tables.\nFirst-year medical student Sean Huang said the event was worthwhile. He and a fellow medical student came during their hour break between class and going to a hospital. He said it was beneficial to have all the options together at the fair.\n"I'm a medical student, so I don't have that much time, so I'm trying to pick and choose," Huang said.\nHe plans to join a multicultural club and Circle K, a volunteer club of which he was a member at University of Notre Dame during his undergraduate studies.\nBruno said that to have a table at the event, each group had to be a registered student organization. He didn't want campus offices or departments to fill space at the fair that could be used by student groups. The event was free for both organizations and attending students.\n"In keeping with the (Union Board's) mission to provide opportunities, we wanted to eliminate any possible barriers to entry," Bruno said. "IMU facility services staff volunteered to unload the 110 tables and 220 chairs from the rental company vehicles so that the program would cost the Union Board less."\nBruno said he was pleased with the event and that everything had gone smoothly.\n"Everybody seems enthusiastic and happy to be here," he said with a smile. "Lots of people said it was very helpful, and the organizations are very happy"