Crowds of students flocked toward the Fieldhouse at Grand Valley State University’s Allendale Campus Tuesday, not leaving a single spot available in parking lot C for the annual Campus Life Night event.

Inside, rows of folding tables, some wrapped in tablecloths, others strewn with Hershey bars and lollipops, lined the basketball court and surrounding area.

By 7:30 p.m., there was just enough room to walk in a single line up and down the rows.

Students occasionally stopped to talk to fraternities, club members and honor society presidents. Glittered neon poster boards and vibrantly dressed officers handed out fliers aimed to draw students in to sororities or the Backpacking Club.

“I attend Campus Life Night every year as the faculty adviser for Students for Life,” said Sister Lucia Treanor, affiliate writing professor at GVSU. “Such a joyful and electric atmosphere encourages our students to be involved in GVSU’s on-campus clubs.”
Free items such as candy, eye drops, pens, pins, and apples were handed out to interested students.

“Campus Life Night is always one of the events to look forward to because of the free stuff and (it) is a way to talk to organizations about joining,” student Nicole VanderKlok said.
But more important than the free bag of goodies students left with, Campus Life Night promotes involvement, which is especially helpful for little-publicized clubs and organizations.

“As I was walking around, I heard some students talk about how they had no idea that GVSU had a Cycling Club, but how they have been interested in joining a club like that for some time now,” said Eric Garvelink, club sports coordinator. “Campus Life Night also shows the variety of club sports organizations that we have. Whether you are a student interested in outdoorsmen sports, martial arts, field sports, court sports, ice sports, or water sports – we have it all.”

The event allows both new and returning students, a one-stop-shop to see the many opportunities they are offered on campus.
“The many tables full of information, crafts and giveaways draw attention to the variety of activities available, offering the opportunity to meet officers and to sign up as a new member,” Treanor said. “I am always amazed at what a grand array of sports, fairs, clubs, and organizations we have on campus.”
[email protected]