Temple student organizations, academic departments and vendors set up tables around the Bell Tower on Tuesday, Oct. 17, as part of the university’s homecoming celebration.
The main objective of the people at most of the tables was to inform students about their organizations and to recruit students to get involved in their groups.
The walkways surrounding the Bell Tower were adorned with cherry and white balloons and banners. The campus was crowded with curious students walking from table to table.
Many student organizations had tables hoping to spark the interest of passing students. One of the most popular tables appeared to be the GreenSEA table.
GreenSEA is a group on campus that promotes environmental awareness. In its second year of existence, the group focuses on finding solutions to counter the effects of global warming.
Recreation services set up a climbing wall that attracted a lot of attention from both students who tried climbing to the top and students who preferred watching from the ground.
Next to the climbing wall, members of Temple’s ROTC were rappelling down the side of the Biology-Life Sciences building. This exercise attracted a sizable crowd of onlookers.
The ROTC students were enthusiastic and eager to share their stories with others. The ROTC tried to recruit more students by handing out flyers with information about the financial support it gives to students.
Students Organization for Caribbean Awareness was another popular table. The table was decorated with flags, maps and posters of Caribbean countries.
“The main objective of the table is to invite people into our club and expose them to some Caribbean flavor,” said SOCA member Rory Davidson.
The club discusses political and racial issues related to the Caribbean. Aside from setting up a table at the Bell Tower, SOCA ventures beyond Temple’s campus.
“SOCA also takes trips and vacations. Last year we went to Jamaica for spring break and this year we are planning to go to Cancun,” Davidson said.
The Temple Lambda Alliance is another campus organization that reached out to students. The Temple Lambda Alliance is a group for gay, lesbian and bisexual students.
“We are trying to raise awareness on campus, to give gay, lesbian and bisexual students a social and political outlet,” said Lambda Alliance member Christina Molieri. “We are here to give support and answer questions. We are here so that students know they are not the only ones.”
The events sponspored by the group are not gay-exclusive and any student is welcome to attend. The club is also connected to other groups such as Sister Space, a group for girls.
Safe Space, a place for students who are still questioning their sexuality, will be starting next month.
“The main objective of the club is to eliminate stereotypes,” Molieri said. “We are like everyone else, the only difference is sexuality.”
In addition to student organizations, academic departments also hosted some tables. The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management’s cotton candy was popular.
The College of Engineering promoted its concrete canoe competition. For the second time The American Concrete Institute will enter a canoe in an area competition. They are hoping to build upon last year’s canoe to compete against others from area colleges.
The Fox School of Business and Management promoted its MBA international business program. Students spend the first semester studying in Paris, spend the second semester on Main Campus and finish up in Japan over the summer.
The College of Liberal Arts had a table with information on its study abroad programs and some new programs for next year, one of which will be the American Culture and Media Arts major.
“Our great strength is we turn out students who are well educated and well-rounded,” said CLA outreach counselor Nora Gran. “We not only encourage students to be well rounded, but we require it.”
This second annual event was run through the Office of Student Activities.
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