Cari Arthur
City Times
Students gathered for Club Rush in Gorton Quad Sept. 5 and 6, meeting with campus clubs to discuss local and national issues as well as club membership.
The Associated Student Government sponsors this event twice a year to help clubs gain exposure with students. The ASG is confident that students will realize the benefits of joining a club as it allows them the opportunity to socialize, meet new friends and feel good about making a difference.
Among the organizations on hand was the San Diego City Robotics Club.
The club is less than a year old, but that did not stop members from receiving ninth place at the 2007 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Competition. The goal of SDCR is to provide students the opportunity to learn about the field of robotics by building an underwater robotic and competing in an obstacle course at the AUV competition.
Vice president Chris Wilson said, “The theme for SDCR is to do more with less.” Last year they had the smallest budget and the smallest robotic but still beat out teams from MIT, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Duke. Meetings are 9-12 p.m. Saturday in room T-214.
Do you support human rights? Amnesty International might be a club for you. Rachel Brewer, co-president of AI said, “We are here to educate students about human rights issues going on around the world, in our own country and locally.” Brewer went on to say, “We encourage students to get involved who want to transfer (to a university) and become a valuable member of our community.” Locally they will be focusing on border issues and concerns. Meetings are 2 p.m. Tuesday in room B-202.
The African American Student Union offers assistance for all students with tutoring, filling out forms and any other help you may need to become successful throughout your college years.
Melissa Baker-Taylor of AASU said their motto is, “If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything.”
The AASU is in the process of starting a fellowship on campus in order to promote unity among students and give African Americans a voice. During their Sept. 12 meeting, they will be having a brainstorming session to discuss issues within the African American community and decide what direction to move forward with this year. Meetings are 1 p.m. Wednesday in room D-104.
MEChA is a student movement formed in the 1970s to promote education and awareness to Chicano youth. Their goal is to educate Chicanos on staying in school, attending college, promoting awareness and to be proud of their culture.
Contact MEChA directly at [email protected] for further information and club meetings.
Campus Antiwar Network is a national organization with two main goals: troops out now and college not combat. Marcos Perez of CAN invites all students, military personnel and war resisters to come out and join the fight for anti-war on Tuesday Sept. 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the cafeteria.
“The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers is an organization that helps students to get internships and reach out to high school and elementary schools to try to help students get involved and help them to inspire to be something in the science field.” said Melissa Bonilla, vice president at SDSU.
As a benefit to being part of SHPE, large fortune 500 companies will look to hire from within the SHPE community for their professionals. All members of the local SHPE club will attend a national conference Oct. 31-Nov. 4 in Philadelphia, Pa. to participate in activities, attend a career expo and take business workshops. Contact SHPE directly at [email protected] for further information.
The New Aeon Socialist Movement is an organization based on a mix of new age socialist ideas. International organizer Sidney Martinez said they have two campaigns for this year, the Darfur massacre and people around freedom for Tibet.
“The 2008 Olympics will be held in Shang Hi, China so we are trying to get people to go out and protest the Chinese Consulate and write letters to the Chinese Government to demand freedom for Tibetan Monks.”
Locally, Sidney and his group will be organizing an event on Sept. 28 in L.A. to take part in the solidarity protest camp out.
They will be providing transportation and are encouraging students to get involved and surround the federal building in L.A., while the national camp out event will be in Washington, D.C. Contact Sidney directly at [email protected] for further information.
Vendors who participated included Bank of America who was offering students free checking for five-years. In case you missed them on campus, personal banker Gladis Robies said, “Students can contact me and I will offer them the same 5-year free checking as we are doing today.” Robies went on to say, “Contact me at the Gaslamp Banking Center, provide your Student ID and I will extend the offer.”
Other vendors who participated included Exotic Body Oils who sells fragrant body oils, incense and more, 24-Hour Fitness and Washington Mutual, which offered student discounts for the two-day event.
The Associated Student Government holds meetings 10 a.m. Friday in room D-107 that are open for all students to attend.
