'Al Fresco' Shows Heart, Soul of Campus
- September 27, 2006
- MEDIA CONTACT: Mary Fortune, Dir., Student Life and Leadership Programs, (510) 885-3657
Written by Terry Peppin, Counselor, Career Development Center
Cal State East Bay students, faculty, staff and alumni will celebrate the opening of the 2006-07 academic year on Wednesday, Oct. 11 with the 18th annual al Fresco, the university community's traditional welcome back festival. (The originally scheduled date of Oct. 4 was changed due to a forecast of rain for that day and much of the week.)
Al Fresco will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University Amphitheatre on the north side of campus.
The annual event features tables staffed by representatives of approximately 100 university departments, student organizations, and student services. Many who have attended in past years consider it a "one-stop shop" providing all that Cal State East Bay has to offer.
In addition, there is food, music, and a variety of giveaways.
"Students who are new to the campus have the opportunity to gain information about all the student organizations, at al Fresco," said Andria Kemp, a senior liberal studies major from Oakland, who is president of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. "If they do not know what club is right for them, they get to see all of them in action."
Mary Fortune, director of Student Life and Leadership-the office that advises student organization leaders-said her staff is always proud to see student leadership on display.
"Coordination of the tables is a labor of love for us," Fortune said, "because we get to see our student leaders' enthusiasm for building their organizations and creating the campus life that they envision."{mospagebreak}
The students love al Fresco.
"Everyone who's cool is there," said Mary Anne Guintu, a graduate student in communication. "You get free food, goodies, and live music, plus loads of useful information about the different programs and services offered at CSUEB."
The featured band for this year's al Fresco is The Coup, provided by Associated Students, Inc., the CSUEB student government. ASI is the student voice on campus issues, and funds student organizations, recreational programs and other services.
Members of the campus community will hand out literature describing the organizations they represent. They'll also be passing out first-aid kits, key chains, candy, baseball caps, and a large number of pens, writing pads, and post-its.
Student clubs and organizations understand that al Fresco is their best recruiting opportunity of the year.
"It's a blast and everyone comes out and supports all the wonderful clubs on campus," said Cassandra Garcia, who is president of Alpha Phi sorority, a member of the ASI board of directors, and a junior from Redlands majoring in kinesiology. "Al Fresco is the easiest way to meet the majority of clubs."
Arthur Jenkins, student life advisor, noted that there are nearly 100 student organizations in seven different categories, including academic, honors, Greek, religious, cultural, recreational and special interest. "Most likely any students attending al Fresco will find one or more groups they will want to join," Jenkins said.
Faculty and staff of Cal State East Bay not only appreciate the day as much as the students, but see learning happening alongside the fun.
Professor Melany Spielman, chair of the Leadership in Hospitality and Leisure Services Department, urges incoming students to attend al Fresco because "you can find all sorts of activities you might want to get involved with: clubs, the health center, and the advising center.
{mospagebreak}"You can even find out about new majors you might want to explore but never knew about, such as hospitality and leisure," Spielman said. She also likes to "see all my old friends, meet new people, and enjoy a beautiful day in the sun."
For Miriam Dorsett, an undeclared junior from Alameda and a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, it's all about the fun that day.
"Al Fresco is a great place to meet people, enjoy the campus and eat free food," Dorsett said.
The fun involvement opportunities students take advantage of during the time spent on campus, however, translates into marketable experience.
"After you finish your degree, employers want to know about activities in which you have applied your skills and developed leadership capabilities," said Tom Hird, chair of the Theatre and Dance Department. "Al Fresco is the easiest resource for finding out about all the great resume-building opportunities existing on campus."
"Al Fresco reminds me of when I was a freshman," said Lili Carranza, a senior majoring in liberal studies. "I was so eager to join an on-campus organization." The Oakland resident currently serves as president of the National Panhellenic Conference, the governing board for CSUEB's two national sororities.
Many of the campus' student organization leaders also use the event to network with one another.
"This is a way that clubs can connect and do community projects," said Hayward resident and middle school teacher Chantaine Fauntleroy, who is a graduate student studying recreation management and a former president of the Student California Teachers Association.
Everyone-club member or not-can make new friends at al Fresco.
"Freshman year can be frustrating to adjust to," said Chikashi Yamamoto, a senior in speech communication from Hiroshima, Japan who is president of Frontier to a New Century, the campus Buddhist club. "Making good friends as a freshman is one of the best ways to reduce stress and start college life."
"The best thing about al Fresco is the entire college community coming together and sharing everything that makes CSUEB a great school," said Fremont resident Jackie Liss, who is a junior majoring in psychology and a Hayward Orientation Team student leader. "Al Fresco was the event that got me started with the orientation team."
"This event exemplifies community and connections at CSUEB," said Brian Reinhardt, director of the Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) Department, "while also providing a cornucopia of resources, free food, and great music."
"Al Fresco is the best carnival at CSUEB," said Stevina Evuleocha, professor of marketing and entrepreneurship and director of the honors program. "It really captures the heart and soul of the university. To really find out what Cal State East Bay is all about, attendance is a must."
More information about al Fresco is available by contacting the Office of Student Life and Leadership Programs at (510) 885-3657.
