SMC Hosts First-Ever Club Rush

Last Thursday, music saturated the air on campus as Santa Monica College hosted its first ever club rush. A roots-reggae band serenaded the group, as tables promoting the various clubs on campus lined up across the quad.

Twenty-seven of the 35 currently installed clubs were present at club rush. The clubs on campus often question the success of club row, which is usually held at the end of the semester. With most of the semester gone, any students the clubs attract at club row will have little time left to participate in the club activities.

"Club row happens too late in the semester," said Associated Students Director of Activities, Andrew Lu. "[Club rush] is giving the clubs a chance to advertise."

Fortunate Youth, a roots-reggae band gathered the largest of the crowds. The seven-piece band gave students a full show, offering a different sound than bands usually used for campus events.

Paulo Ramos, commissioner of activities was responsible for getting Fortunate Youth to play

at the event. "I've been working on getting them to come to SMC for awhile," said Ramos. "We

usually have rock bands for this type of events. I wanted something different."

Getting active early in the semester, Students for Social Justice used club rush to demonstrate their agenda to the students. With Army recruiters present at the event, Cameron Quinn, president of the club, took the opportunity to educate students who showed interest in speaking with the recruiters. Passing out fliers to the students, Quinn said he wanted them to be fully informed.

Staff Sergeant James Spiller said he wasn't aware of the event and that the recruiter's presence there was coincidence. The recruiters left shortly after club rush started.

Also handing out fliers that day was the Student Veteran Association. The club members had seen the fliers, but weren't upset by them.

"We're focused on helping vets regardless of their views on the war," said club President Daniel Anderson. "We're more about helping them transition easily into civilian life."

Among the clubs at the event were the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, who are getting reestablished as a club this semester. Eager to take a political role on campus, GSA used Club Rush as a way to promote their issues and fundraising events.

GSA's close relative, Pride Club, also drew students. Pride's agenda focuses more on building a social community at SMC.

Efrain Santiago, president of GSA, said they had a lot of interest and a lot of new people signing up. "We'll know by the next meeting if the event was a success," said Santiago.