Student groups rely on SOVO fair for new interest
Nearly 500 student groups, local organizations and clubs participated in this fall’s Student Organization and Volunteer Opportunities Fair. The annual event that helps wrap up Welcome Week brought 280 student organizations, 32 nonprofit groups, 17 VCU departments and seven community vendors to the Siegel center Friday afternoon.
"Nearly 500 student groups, community organizations and clubs participated in this fall's SOVO fair." Photos by Chris Conway
Photos by Chris Conway
Marhesha Maldonado
Contributing Writer
Nearly 500 student groups, local organizations and clubs participated in this fall’s Student Organization and Volunteer Opportunities Fair. The annual event that helps wrap up Welcome Week brought 280 student organizations, 32 nonprofit groups, 17 VCU departments and seven community vendors to the Siegel center Friday afternoon.
Many organizations say they depend on the SOVO fair to get the majority of new members for their group and provide information about what they do to the VCU community.
“We have been an organization for 44 years; we’re one of the longest,” said Takira Goss, vice president of the Black Awakening Choir. “From the SOVO fair we get at least 30 to 40 members. Some may trickle out, but at least 80 percent stay, so this is a big event for us.”
Hundreds of students poured into the Siegel center from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday to find new interests, fulfill old hobbies and find somewhere they fit in at the university. Organizations included sports teams, fraternities and sororities, professional interest groups, bands, language clubs, dance teams and community service orientated organizations.
“This is going to be our 3rd year (as a organization) so we are relatively new,” said Sarah Pentecost, vice president of Her Campus at VCU. “Our goal is to fill up four sign-up sheets.”
There were 298 tables representing different organizations around VCU, showcasing the diverse clubs and organizations offered between both campuses.
