The Nebraskan Student Union offered more than just a refuge from the cold last week as Greek organizations, honors societies, clubs and more filled the space outside of the Loper Spirit Shop. Passing students were invited to interact with any groups that aligned with their interests and passions.
UNK’s biannual Student Organization Fair showcased 35 student organizations over the course of the three-day event, hosted by student government.
“It’s a great way in the very beginning of the semester for students to see what organizations are out there, have an opportunity to meet with those leaders and advisers and have some good face-to-face conversation,” said Renae Zimmer, director of student engagement.
Zimmer said the Student Organization Fair is a low-pressure environment that allows students to explore opportunities for campus involvement.
The campus is home to 130 recognized student organizations, including fraternities, sororities, clubs, honors societies and multicultural groups. These organizations offer a sense of community to students who are looking to expand their support system.
Lizbeth Trejo, the secretary and marketing director for the Lambda Theta Nu, joined the multicultural sorority in search of a sisterhood during her sophomore year when she was missing her hometown of Schuyler.
“I just wanted a group of friends that had the same experiences as me, and I feel like I got that with Lambdas,” Trejo said.
Since joining, Trejo has made connections with her sorority sisters at UNK and among other chapters of Lambdas across the country.
Katherine Vasquez is also a member of Lambdas that has found belonging in the sorority.
“It’s like a family away from home,” Vasquez said. “These girls are actually my sisters. It was really easy to click with them, and I love them.”
Aside from encouraging student involvement, the Student Organization Fair was also an opportunity for organizations to promote their activities to prospective members.
Brianna Jorgenson, president of the Association of Gamers, said the event offered a space for smaller groups to gain visibility and for students to see that these organizations are real.
“Otherwise, you’re kind of in the ether,” Jorgenson said. “They only see you on maybe Loper Links, or, if you’re lucky, they find your Instagram by some miracle. But here, you’re in person.”
Jorgenson discovered the Association of Gamers as a freshman at the Student Organization Fair in the fall and started going to the meetings after the event.
The hosts also took advantage of the visibility offered by the Student Organization Fair.
Van Fasbender, student senator for the College of Arts and Sciences, said many students on campus don’t know what exactly student government is and how it operates. The fair helps the hosts spread awareness to the student body about their role on campus.
In the spring semester, the fair functions as a promotional event for the upcoming student government elections on March 4-5. Fasbender said the networking that takes place during the event can be crucial when it comes to campaigning for student government positions.
“Sometimes people vote based on the names they know, and that calls back to knowing people on campus and building that connection with people,” Fasbender said.
For students who missed the event, it’s not too late to join an organization. UNK’s student organizations, including those who were not represented at the fair, can be found on “LoperLinks” or the UNK website.
The Student Organization Fair will return in the fall.
