File photo by Matt Weir / The Collegian
Involvement fair helps students
The University Student Union (USU) balcony will be a zoo today from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as the 5th annual Student Affairs Fair and Resource Information event (SAFARI) educates students about the on-campus services available to them.
SAFARI started in 2006 as part of Dr. Paul Oliaro’s plan to help students find programs they need in order to do well in college. Each of the offices under the division of Student Affairs has a table out on the balcony that will serve to make students aware of the many services and programs they have available to them.
“SAFARI provides opportunities for students to get involved on campus,” said Khrystine Vong, a member of the SAFARI committee and administrative assistant to Oliaro.
Among the programs participating in SAFARI are career services, the Central Valley Cultural Heritage Institute, Judicial Affairs, and Educational Talent Search.
“There are usually tables out there that provide information from divisions that aren’t necessarily student-affairs oriented, such as financial services and the library,” said Vong. “They will both be out there this year.”
Student Affairs started coordinating SAFARI after a panel of students talked to staff in the Student Affairs office about what they knew of the programs and services available to them.
“Most of the students we talked to before we started SAFARI were seniors, and they didn’t know about most of the programs we offer,” said Carolyn Coon, co-chair of the SAFARI committee. “After that, we realized we needed to get more information out to these folks.”
The Student Leadership and Development Center, housed in the USU, will have a table on the balcony to match interested students with the right leadership program for them.
“Right now we’re promoting our Emerging Leaders program,” said Shawna Blair, a staffer in the Leadership Development Center. “We also have informational brochures and other materials that talk about our programs.”
The idea of getting involved in an interactive way is an exciting prospect to many in the committee. “It’s a good way for students to learn about what
student affairs is,” said Jessica Medina, a graduate student and a member of the committee. “I’ve been on the committee for a couple years now, and coordinating something that gives students the ability to get involved is really fun.”
Besides getting information on the programs that benefit them, SAFARI will wrap up the event with a prize-drawing. “We’ve got about 50 prizes, including an iPad,” said Medina.
According to USU student leaders, being involved on campus allows students to enhance their college experience.
“Being involved allows you to learn more about what you want to do after college,” said Dana Elkins, student director of USU Productions, a special-event coordinating program. “You enhance yourself and your school.”