This past Sunday, the annual Involvement Fair was hosted on College Green. Hundreds of student organizations pitched themselves to potential new members, showcasing what they had to offer to anyone who stopped by. The Involvement Fair is an iconic part of starting off the school year for many, including me. While observing the fair, there’s a sense of unity and wonder as our historic green is flooded with eager students, socializing and connecting with their peers.
At least, that’s how it normally looks. For the last three years, the Involvement Fair has been hindered at some point, creating challenges for student organizations. In 2020, the Involvement Fair was shifted to a virtual setting, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year and this year’s involvement fair was cut short by heavy rain showers, only allowing for student organizations to have a brief time on the green.
The Involvement Fair is an important event for most, if not all, student organizations here on campus. It is a time to recruit new people, gain support for future events and spread awareness about less known organizations.
In other words, it’s a way to pump new life into organizations– something they desperately need after the pandemic.
Last Sunday's fair was disappointing for many because, while the campus is just now transitioning to a pre-pandemic status, the rain provided yet another hurdle for already struggling clubs.
While Ohio University itself has no control over the weather or a deadly pandemic, it does have control over how much support they give these organizations. OU loves to market our diverse selection of student organizations- in its brochures, on their website, during tours- they brag about the 550+ clubs on campus.
With the hardships of the last three Involvement Fairs, OU should offer a make-up fair to give clubs a boost. Even if it’s only a brief session at Baker Center, or a whole re-do in the Convocation Center, a little support will go a long way for organizations looking to rebuild after the pandemic. OU could also set up smaller fairs, divided up by niche or interest, to make it up to organizations. I recognize there may be logistical challenges to a “Make-up Involvement Fair”, but some support and effort on the behalf of student organizations is better than giving up after something goes wrong.
Again, OU is not to blame for how the last three Involvement Fairs have turned out. But the loss of our Involvement Fairs has been frustrating for students who want to see the clubs they- and in theory the university- love so deeply to grow and thrive. Coming up with new events or an alternative plan for the Involvement Fair can only help student organizations while also showing student organizations that the university cares.
Colleen McLafferty is a junior studying history at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Tell Colleen by tweeting her at @colleenbealem.
