Activities fair offers free stuff, choices to students

The hallways of Posvar Hall were packed yesterday afternoon with students tabling to promote… The hallways of Posvar Hall were packed yesterday afternoon with students tabling to promote Pitt clubs, most with the same thing in mind — involvement.

Pitt’s Student Activities Fair provided both an opportunity for student groups to advertise their causes to interested students and for students to find new ways of spending their time this school year.

Freshmen Megan Hafner and Bob Durso weaved through the crowds in search of the Quiz Bowl booth. Both members of their high school teams, the two want to use their skills to keep busy and meet new people.

“Joining a group makes you a better rounded person,” Hafner, who attended the fair in hopes of getting a better sense of what Pitt and its students are all about, said.

“I don’t want to be involved in just academics,” Durso said.

Campus groups ranging from political — College Republicans and Democrats among several others — to religious, academic and volunteer clubs flashed signs and fliers in hopes of attracting new membership and awareness.

Justin Grover, a Pitt sophomore, wore a poster on his chest that said “85 percent of Fortune 500 executives are Greek.” Signs like these complemented the “Go Greek” leaflet handouts.

“I think [Greek] society is great because it adds a lot to the college experience and it also looks good on a resume.”

Many campus fraternities and sororities were present.

Freshman Daniel Davis scanned the tables and made a stop to register to vote. Along with his desire to have a say in the next presidential election, he said he planned to find some athletic opportunities to fill up his free time.

“I’m bored without other things to do,” he said. “I also want to meet new people so I’m not a loser this year.”

Free T-shirts, cotton candy and candy may have attracted others to the fair. Pitt’s radio station, WPTS, handed out ping pong balls with its insignia and many of the fair’s attendees wore Circle K International’s leis.

Cotton candy in hand, Pitt junior Geetika Gupta made her way back to the Hindu Student Council booth, where she said the group’s promotion efforts were going well.

A member of the group, she has found that her experience over the years has made her college experience more interactive.

“It’s helped me make friends and get involved,” she said.