Welcome week underway

New and returning students had a chance to sample a little of everything CSULB has to offer at the biannual Week of Welcome Fiesta. The event, held on the South Terrace, started yesterday and continues today on the terrace and tonight in Parkside Dining Hall.

Representatives from on-campus organizations, culture clubs, fraternities, sororities, college councils and club sports were on hand to show students what they had to offer.

"We hope students get information about all different organizations on campus, find what they have offer, and find something that suits them," said Chance Decker, Executive Administrator for ASI.

Sophomore Noe Garcia came to the event looking for a way to get involved.

"I'm checking out the clubs, looking for a club where I can help out in the community. I was looking at Circle K for that, and maybe HSBA to help me find a job.

Some organizations offered unique services for students. Senior Stella Lin purchased a Mendhi henna tattoo at the Indian Student Association booth.

Joshua Monatello and Adrianna Duong enjoyed the event on two levels, working the Asian American Christian Fellowship booth and also walking around and talking to other group representatives.

Sophomore Monatello said, "I enjoy looking around and checking out all the stuff on campus. I also think the campus is really open and the groups are inclusive and provide for other people."

Sophomore Duong expressed similar sentiments, but added that she liked the day's event because "I picked up lots of free stuff."

ASI also provided entertainment for students at the event.

On Tuesday deejays from Power 106 entertained the crowd, and on Wednesday the reggae band Isouljahs will perform in the West Terrace.

The event is being held on the South Terrace for the first time to improve its exposure for the organizations.

Decker added, "We switched to the South Terrace from our two locations last year, South Plaza and Brotman Hall, to increase visibility to students and also to allow an entertainment stage to be set up.

Not all group representatives were pleased with the new location.

Junior Milleth Dimaano of Kappa Psi Epsilon said of her group's location, "It's kind of crowded and the food is at one end so people don't have to walk all the way through like they did last year."

Despite this, Dimaano said of the day, "We've had a pretty good turnout and we are also going throughout the campus trying to spread the word."