What began as an event to attract new students to the different organizations on campus has turned into a competition. The Student Organization Fair began early in the morning on Sept. 6 in the University Center Plaza. The different groups arrived at least 30 minutes early to pick out the best table and location. As the day progressed, the groups would shuffle around the tables, steal chairs and maneuver into the shade, all in hopes of drawing in new students.

The fight for the best location and amenities was all due to the fact that a majority of the University Center Plaza traffic was no longer there. Ever since the demolition of the Glocker Business Administration building, the congestion of the plaza has been minimal.

The lack of students did not damper the spirit of the organizations’ recruiters. The turnout for the fair included over 30 different organizations trying to sign on new members. They ranged from the Lambda Student Union, Amnesty International and Delta Sigma Pi to the Progressive Student Alliance, Volunteer Voice and the College Republicans.

Though the veteran organizations turned out, it was the novice groups who benefited most from the event. A member of the Vegetarian Student Alliance, who started their chapter last spring, said they were there to get some action and to push the group.

The newest organization was the Film Alliance at UT. They began only a week before the fair. Their goals are to expand film production and awareness on campus and to network with film makers and to have professional film equipment for the students to rent.

Another novice group to the fair was Silver Wings. Silver Wings has been on UT’s campus for some time now, but this was only its second time at the Fair. The group is a national, co-ed service organization that affiliates itself with the U.S. Air Force. The members’ activities include working with the families of people in the Air Force by sending care packages, cards, food and hospital visits.

“We had a huge success with the event,” said Amy Amari, the organization’s development officer. “We gained over 21 new members thanks to the Fair. We will definitely be here next year.”

Overall, recruiters deemed the Student Organization Fair a success. Each student organization’s recruiters, no matter if they are just getting started or have participated for years, thought they reached out to students and brought in some new members.