Associated Students (A.S.) welcomed the CSUN community back to school with their biggest welcome fair yet.
The fair included multiple booths with free food, drinks, giveaways, and information about the A.S. program at CSUN.
Other CSUN departments that attended the fair including the University Student Union (USU), CSUN police and Athletics.
“It’s an amazing turnout, we’ve never had it this big before,” said Kevin Mojaradi, A.S. marketing and public relations coordinator. “We’re running out of almost everything that we have, it’s actually really good though.”
Dozens of students filled the bookstore lawn, checking out the fair and what giveaways tables were providing. Every booth had something different to offer — students who completed a survey were entered into a raffle for tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm, Big Show and bookstore gift cards worth $25, $50, $100. Other booths gave away free products including T-shirts, water bottles and totes.
Mojaradi has been doing the A.S. Welcome Fair since 2004 and says this was the best he ever experienced.
“The volunteer numbers (were) amazing we had 100 volunteers who signed up on facebook for nothing else but to help out and get a free t-shirt,” said Mojaradi.
The main purpose of the fair was to welcome the CSUN community back to school while providing a way to learn about all the services and programs A.S. has to offer.
“This year we went with an Athletic theme shirt to promote athletics,” said Mojaradi “ One of the universities missions is to really (spread) the whole spirit of athletes.”
Booths that promoted athletics were also present, such as Outdoor Adventures and Sports Club programs provided by A.S.
Clarissa Quintanilla, an 18-year-old CSUN freshman had a chance to check out the sports club.
“I’m really into a lot of sports (and) in high school I didn’t have the opportunity to be in many sports,” Quintanilla said. “So I want to join any clubs that give me the opportunity to do so.”
Other programs that participated in the fair included Student Government, Campus Recycling and The Children’s Center.
“The Children’s Center has free services for students who have children or younger siblings that need to be watched, so they provide daycare services,” said Gabrielle Danis, one of the 100 volunteers that helped plan the fair.
The total cost of the fair was roughly $15,000, but a lot of that money was given directly back to the students through the gifts, giveaways and services provided according to Mojaradi.
“I have to give it to my volunteers they make the fair happen I could not do this by myself,” Mojaradi said.
