Hundreds of students gather for Festifall

Crowds of students browsed group tables, chatted with student organizers and lingered on the Diag and Ingalls Mall on Friday, enjoying the sun-drenched and balloon-flying sights of Festifall.

While thousands of students grabbed pamphlets and talked to more than 250 University and community organizations, the Ring Of Steel sword club used more unorthodox methods of attracting new members.

Dressed from head to toe in full Renaissance attire, members dueled and sword fought one another by the Ingalls Mall fountain.

SNRE sophomore Sarah Deneweth, a member of the environmental protection organization EnAct, said Festifall was definitely a success this year.

"People seem really interested and want to get involved," Deneweth said. "Students are signing up and asking what plans are on for the upcoming year."

LSA senior Vivian Stambaugh said Festifall gave first-year students a taste of campus activities.

"Festifall helps out incoming freshmen. It's a good way to expose students to all the organizations on campus," Stambaugh said. "Most people walking through don't know about all the organizations they are being introduced to here today."

A new structuring at Festifall caused concern among some organizations. Dave Caroline, chair of the Hillel governing board, said Festifall's division of groups into distinct categories did not benefit all organizations.

"It is upsetting that Hillel was put in the religious group because, although Hillel does provide religious resources to Jewish students on campus, it is by no means the only contribution that Hillel makes to campus as evidenced by such programs as the Golden Apple Award, and Hill St. Forum," Caroline said. "People are intimidated by religious things."

LSA first-year student Julie Mayfield said Festifall offers the help that first-year students need.

"Festifall helps freshmen orient themselves with the organizations on campus. The stereotype of the lost-and-wandering freshman is pretty true," Mayfield said. "Festifall is the way a lot of freshmen are getting involved and gathering information on the organizations and people they meet here," Mayfield said.

Mike Waters, a member of Students Of Biology, said Festifall booths can sometimes be intimidating for students.

"It can be awkward for students to talk to booth holders, a person needs to be outgoing to feel comfortable approaching strangers," Waters said. "Although some people feel intimidated to go and approach the booth, it's still better than just seeing the organization's name printed somewhere.

"At Festifall you can ask questions and interact with members who are involved with the organization of interest," Waters said.

Women's lacrosse team member Kristen Ray said Festifall gives organizations the opportunity for free publicity.

"It's a great chance to let everyone know about the women's lacrosse team, especially incoming freshmen and sophomores that could make a contribution to the team," Ray said. "It's also a great way to spread the word about the women's lacrosse to more people on campus."

Engineering first-year student Katie Norris said she was surprised by the amount of organizations on campus.

"I didn't know it was going to be this big or that there were this many organizations to belong to," Norris said.

LSA first-year student Emilia Kwiotkowski said the variety of campus activities makes choosing just one or two organizations difficult.

"There is so much to do, it's hard to choose what I want to do," Kwiotkowski said.

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