The event to officially welcome all CSUN students, the Welcome All Matadors Picnic, or WAM, kicked off on Monday at 11:30 am on the Bayramian Lawn. As DJ Kai played a mix of hip-hop, Top 40 and classic rock, hundreds of students walked the lawn and pavement, getting to know one another and discovering what CSUN has to offer.

“We want to bring spirit to CSUN,” said Kira Bracero, student and programs assistant for Associated Students, which gave away school supplies to help students start the semester well-prepared and with lots of Matador pride.

University Recycling Services gave away free mugs filled with beverages like water or soda. They also promoted recycling by offering a ten cent discount to students who use their mugs at campus soda fountains instead of a paper cup.

More than 60 clubs and organizations had booths set up with members and representatives greeting students and offering information about their club.

Some clubs that were present have been on campus for years, such as the Rejoyce in Jesus Campus Fellowship, which has held bible study meetings for CSUN students for more than 30 years. Others were brand new to CSUN and hoping to attract many new members. The Medieval Renaissance Society, a part of the Society for Creative Anachronism, has been in existence for 41 years and even has international chapters, but this year is its first at CSUN. Also fairly new to CSUN is ACASOLA, CSUN’s first a-cappella group.

Tracy Wise, a junior CTVA major who recently transferred to CSUN from Valley College, felt the welcoming vibe.

“I went to San Francisco State University for my first semester of college, and they had a similar event,” Wise said. “But I like this one better. It’s more communal and inviting.”

Chris Walters, a junior CTVA major, represented Student Outreach and Recruitment and his fraternity TKE. Aside from having the opportunity to recruit new members for his groups, he found the event to be beneficial for himself, and even bigger and better than ever.

“Now I realize how big and important this event is,” said Walters. “I have been able to meet a lot of new people.”

The Oviatt Library stand offered campus maps and directions for lost students, as well as a guide to the Oviatt Library.

“This has definitely helped out a lot,” said Susanna Eng, First Year Experience Librarian. “On Friday, we had 60 lost students approach us within one hour. Today we have only had 25.”

After viewing the clubs and organizations section, students made their way over to the lawn where they stood in line to receive free hot dogs, chips, watermelons and cookies, provided by the President’s Office. After their meal they could head over to the S.P.A.C.E. booth and pick up a free ice pop.

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