On Tuesday, September 2, Loyola held its yearly Student Activity Expo in the St. Charles room in the Danna Center.

The event showcased around 60 organizations and is sponsored by the Office of Student Activities.

If you want to broaden your interests or have a cause you’re passionate about, Loyola probably has an organization that will allow you to have fun and meet new people.

There are numerous service, professional, political, academic, social, media and athletic organizations on Loyola’s campus that are always looking for new members.

On Tuesday, freshmen and new students had the chance to learn about Loyola organizations. Although there are more than 130 organizations on Loyola’s campus, the Expo featured only 60 due to lack of space, according to Jill Styx, assistant director of Student Activities.

“We actually had to turn organizations away,” Styx said. “The Expo is usually very well attended and really gets people involved. I think it’s very beneficial to the university.”

The American Marketing Association (AMA) and the Public Relations Student Society (PRSSA) of America are just two of many groups that center around specific academic programs, but invite all students to participate in activities.

“AMA is not just for marketing majors,” said marketing senior and president Christina Scelsi said. “We’re trying to recruit some more people for our case team, which is our main focus.”

PRSSA is a pre-professional organization that is now focused on organizing the national Public Relations Society of America conference, which will be held in New Orleans later this semester.

“Putting together a conference involves a lot of different people,” communications junior Brian Conway said.

“It’s not just for public relations students,” said Uyen Phan, communications senior. “We’re looking for people who can organize and anyone who is good at fundraising.”

Delta Sigma Pi is a fraternity aimed at business majors. It holds professional events, performs community service and provides a social outlet.

“It’s fun, you meet people, and you get good business experience,” said member and management senior Kelly Covington.

“You also get to network, which is so important in any field,” marketing senior Alana Lumar said.

The Music Business Club is also open to all students. It produces live events at different venues around the New Orleans area. Its members also have the opportunity to work at some of the city’s premier festivals.

“There is also a recording division of the club that records student bands for free,” said member music business junior Greg Heaney.

Also seeking student attendance at meetings are political organizations, such as the Student Democrats, who also participated in the expo.

The Student Democrats invite everyone to its meetings.

“We want to get involved in the presidential primaries, and probably something to do with the California recall,” treasurer and political science sophomore Patrick Enloe said. He also mentioned the upcoming Louisiana governor’s race and co-sponsoring events with other Loyola organizations like the College Republicans.

“We’d like awareness,” Sarah Robertson, economics junior and Student Democrats president, said. “We want to educate the Loyola community about what the Democratic Party stands for. We want students to make their own decisions about what party to support.”

Service organizations are a visible part of campus. Loyola University Community Action Program (LUCAP) works to give students an in-depth look at New Orleans.

“A lot about LUCAP is putting a face on people,” Catholic studies senior and president Mary Burckell said. “Part of the university experience is seeing how the world really is and what the poor experience here.”

The Loyola chapter of Big Brothers/Big Sisters helps Loyola students make a difference in the lives of local children.

“It’s a great community service organization,” Cassie Hudson, sociology junior, said. “It’s just an hour a week of your time.

“If you start your freshman year, you can watch a student grow.”

The International Student Association (ISA) strives to create awareness of other countries and cultures through its activities.

“People can just show up and see if they like it,” said Fernando Rivera said. “It generally doesn’t take a lot of time away.”

Communications junior Laura Revelo stressed that Americans should get more involved in the organization.

“We want to work with Americans,” she said.

The Interfraternity Council (IFC), Pan-Hellenic Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council oversee Loyola’s Greek Life.

“We promote Greek life through activities and helping individuals,” political science sophomore and IFC president Fernando Bautista said.

National Pan-Hellenic Council president Johmyrin Johnson, chemistry junior, echoed Bautista’s comments.

“We are big on community service,” said Johnson said, “but each individual group has its own programs.”

If you missed the Student Activity Expo, it is not too late to get involved.

Look for posters and read your campus e-mail.

In addition, students are encouraged to show up at a group’sthe first meeting of the semester and talk to people.

Most organizations welcome new members at any time.

They express the same view as the University Programming Board (UPB).

“People can join any time they want,” communications junior Julie Parker said.

“It’s really easy to show up when there’s a meeting and see what’s going on.”

A glimpse at the many organizations represented at the Student Activity Expo in the St. Charles Room (Pamela Howard)

Tom McNally and Amber Smith man the water polo table at the student activity expo this past Tuesday. (Pamela Howard)