Hot pink fliers and Benson Banners : Student Organizations Battle for Attention

By Alicia Ross

I think most people come to college hungry for new experiences, yet it seems few Santa Clara students take advantage of the many on-campus activities that exist.

The Activities Programming Board (APB) exists solely to provide Santa Clara with quality programs, according to their mission statement. They hope their programs enrich student life by building relationships throughout the community and developing university pride and spirit. I would think this admirable goal would be met with much enthusiasm from students, yet that support just doesn't seem to exist.

Perhaps the publicity is to blame. The most effective way to publicize on-campus events is definitely an issue for APB. Sophomore Katie Strass, special events chair, worries that students become flier-blind after being bombarded with so many advertisements for upcoming events. The number of posters, signs and fliers can be too overwhelming to digest. Students need motivation to search through it all, and to find something which truly captures their interest.

However, such an activity may not capture their interest enough to keep them on campus. When faced with a choice between staying here for a comedy show or going to a party off-campus, it is not surprising that some students would prefer a change of scenery. It is hard to live here and stay here on weekends.

I think the most significant factor for students, though, is time. Any event on a weeknight is sure to be in conflict with some prior obligation. Whether that time was meant for studying or just relaxing with friends, most students may be reluctant to schedule in a new activity.

Do all of these issues mean that students are justified in not taking advantage of on-campus activities? I think not.

Homecoming Week is upon us. With an activity planned for every day, there are many opportunities to show some school spirit. "School spirit" may sound like some embarrassing tradition left over from high school, but in truth, celebrating our school means celebrating our community and furthering our own sense of purpose.

APB is just beginning to plan many other activities. This means another year of fliers, but it also means another year of events. By staying aware of upcoming dates, one can plan ahead and adjust one's busy schedule. It may be a pain to sort through all of the advertisements, but the benefits can be worth it. On-campus activities are a great way to meet people and expose oneself to experiences that can't be had in a classroom or at an off-campus party.