Students warm up, get busy at Activities Mart
by Sara DeBold, posted Feb. 13, 2008
Despite the blistery conditions outside, the Activities Mart in Brady Commons on the MU campus still had a bustle as MU students cruised by the booths between classes. Jordan Alexander, a sophomore marketing major, helped set up the 13 booths that will be used by different MU student organizations during the event that runs from Feb. 11 through Feb. 15.
“There are organizations trying to reach students and students trying to get involved. It’s a win-win situation,” Alexander said.
The Activities Mart is a great place for new organizations to get some recognition.
“I was so excited when I heard about the activities mart, this is a great opportunity,” Trillion Small said. Last October, Small started an organization called Devine Design, featuring Holy-Hip-Hop Dancing and Acting Ministry where members address issues through acting and dancing. By noon Small had received names of nine different interested parties who had not heard of the group until Activities Mart.
The Activities Mart encourages people to check out all the booths by issuing cards to be stamped at each booth visited. Once a card is full, it can be turned in for free pizza.
“I talked to people who wouldn’t normally approach the booth,” said Scott Laugher, MU senior and president of NORML the national organization to reform marijuana laws. “Some people just want their stamp,” Laugher said.
But the system gave NORML and other student organizations a chance to ignite an interest in more students.
