From K-pop to accounting, chess to Taylor Swift, there is something for everyone on the campus of Utah Tech University. At the beginning of each semester, clubs all across campus get the opportunity to showcase what they are about and try to draw in new members at the biannual Club Rush.
At 9 a.m. on Jan. 15, the sidewalks along the Gardner Student Center, also known as the diagonal, were buzzing with high energy and excitement as the event began. A handful of tables were playing music and many more were decorated with bright colors and flags, making the atmosphere burst with life and excitement.
Mike Nelson, director for student belonging, was present to ensure all was running smoothly.
“The big goal for me personally is to give the students an opportunity to connect and find their people… we want to be able to connect them with the interests that they have,” Nelson said.
In total, 75 clubs were present at the event, a handful of which included Birds Aren’t Real, the Latter-day Saint Student Association, the Utah Tech Pasefika Student Union and the ASL Club.
Birds Aren’t Real president, Nick Fajardo, a senior history education major from St. George, was rallying his troops at the event. The group focuses on community events that center on bonding and providing a fun space for everyone to come and meet new people.
They hold karaoke and PowerPoint nights and spend the majority of their time jokingly plotting against the Southern Utah University Thunderbirds. Their club name is also their mantra.
“We are taking the gaslighting to a whole new level, especially when it comes to SUU men’s basketball…” Fajardo said. “We’re gonna have a lot of signs and posters.”
Another group on campus that focuses on community events is the Latter-day Saint Student Association. They were serving hot chocolate to combat the icy cold weather.
President Alex Johnson, a sophomore hotel and resort management major from Noblesville, Indiana, said their activities are focused on inclusion.
“We like to help others kind of feel included on campus,” Johnson said. “We do a lot of collaboration with other clubs and try to build service opportunities. We do lots of food based activities as well… Anyone who wants fast friends, definitely come over to this club.”
The Pasefika Student Union had one of the most lively booths at the event, with their table decorated with various Polynesian flags and music to attract passers-by.
“We are doing a showcase [this semester], where every PSU club in all the colleges in Utah come together and we all dance,” said social media manager Kayla Talauega, a freshman computer science major from Draper. “I think the big overarching [event] is the Poly games that we’re doing.”
The ASL Club was present as well, and their focus is teaching sign language to those who want to learn.
“We love new people,” said money manager Olivia Evans, a junior ASL and English interpreting major from Salt Lake City. “Even if you don’t know how to sign, just come on over.”
The club recently elected a new president, and they are most excited to see all the new faces who will come to their club next semester.
Each club expressed similar advice for anyone who was unsure about joining a club, and that was to just show up and go for it.
“I think you should just go do it, like just show up,” Fajardo said. “That’s like 90% of the battle. Just come get our food, and like, at least it’ll make us happy and you happy.”
Happiness was definitely in the air at this semester’s club rush, and each group was excited for the new semester and the fun to come. There are over 100 clubs on campus, and if you didn’t get the chance to go, you can find each of them here.
