University clubs at Cal State LA set up booths in the main campus walkway to give students information on organizations available to them at the City of Orgs event on Wednesday, Jan. 31. The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) hosts the event at the start of every fall and spring semester when the campus is buzzing with new and returning students.
The event offers the clubs a chance to share their passion. At the same time, the students have an opportunity to learn about the organizations offered on campus, encouraging them to explore their interests and find their community.
“We hope that having the clubs right here for students to really see the faces behind them and also have people from the clubs talk about what they do. Seeing that passion that people have for their clubs,” Andrea Dominguez, a CSI student assistant.
There was a diverse variety of clubs for students to explore at the event. Some clubs touched on different aspects of campus life, such as organizations relating to the majors Cal State LA has to offer. From the business economics club, where students can connect with others by networking, to the film production club, which allows students to work on productions.
Some of Cal State LA’s clubs allow students to express their identity with organizations representing gender, sexuality, and different cultures, such as the Kalahi Club, a Filipino American organization, and the Trans Queer Connection Club.
“We are the only queer club on campus,” said Park Walter, the co-president of the Trans Queer Connection club. “The biggest goal of our club is to provide communities, a safe space, fun, love, and just having a good time,” Many students said the event was an opportunity to explore student life on campus that they didn’t know about.
“At this school, there’s not much happening,” Laila Hamdalla said. “There’s not much campus life that is advertised all the time, so it’s really fun to see that there are a lot of clubs and opportunities for us. It’s a good way to get to know everyone and the school as well.”
While it gave students a chance to explore the school and engage in the community, it also provided them with a new perspective. Kanishq Virbiy, an international student, said that the club rush was a new experience.
“I found it to be an interesting event,” Virbiy said. “I live back in India, and they don’t do club rushes. It’s only online.”
Students walked away with not only flyers and brochures but also a sense of comradery as they discovered new opportunities and communities, bringing excitement back to campus.
