Brahmas roamed the campus Mall this week as the Associated Student Organization (ASO) hosted its Club Rush on Feb. 19 and 20.
Dubbed ClubLand, the event welcomed students with music, snacks and games, encouraging them to explore a variety of clubs and connect with peers.
For ASO President Jasmine Minchez, who is in her final year with the organization, making clubs more accessible was a top priority. A whiteboard listing all clubs, along with a QR code for easy sign-ups, was introduced to help students quickly find organizations that interested them.
“It’s just like a one-stop shop where people can see the clubs they’d like to join,” Minchez said. “Even if you don’t feel super tied to your college campus, finding a club you’re passionate about is a great way to feel more connected to the community.”
After struggling with a shortage of club senators last year, Minchez said this year’s Club Rush ran smoothly thanks to strong student leadership.
“It was really great to have the support of the senators and to have people help set up and staff the booth,” Minchez said.
For some students, Club Rush was an opportunity to break out of their comfort zones.
“Sometimes it was a little awkward walking up to the booths,” said nursing major Karina Kitszen. “But honestly, the food is what draws me in. This is the best way to interact with clubs and join.”
Others saw clubs as a way to build friendships and share experiences. Beatrice Azevedo and Vanessa Fontana, both business students, said clubs helped them adjust to campus life.
“We are international students, and clubs help us make friends and share experiences,” Fontana said.
Beyond social connections, many clubs use their platforms to promote activism and community involvement.
“The heart is the community, and if you don’t protect your community, then who’s protecting you?” said Quinn Reyes, of the Democrats Club, which has organized trips to Antelope Valley to campaign for congressional candidates.
For students who missed Club Rush, ASO Club Council President Alexa Romero reassured them that it’s never too late to join.
“This is the biggest event for clubs, but students can still join later,” Romero said, “Usually, students email me asking about a specific club, and I try to help them get contact information.”
ASO also keeps an updated list of clubs on its bulletin board and website for students looking to get involved throughout the semester.
Minchez emphasized that events like Club Rush are crucial for student engagement.
“We put a lot of effort into making sure clubs get as much visibility as possible,” said Minchez, “It’s one of the only times students can see all different organizations in one place.”
